Ben Carson's soft-spoken manner is a sharp contrast to Donald Trump's megaphone mouth, but both men are together in a tie at the top of the latest poll of Iowa Republicans.
The neurosurgeon and the billionaire each have 23% support in Iowa, where the January caucuses will be the first real voting in the 2016 Republican presidential race, according to the Monmouth University Poll of likely GOP caucus goers.
Jeb Bush, who until recently was thought to be the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, is way back in sixth place with just 5%. Ahead of Bush, is Carly Fiorina at 10%, Ted Cruz with 9% and Scott Walker with 7%.
"These results mark a significant shake up in the leaderboard from Monmouth's Iowa poll taken before the first debate," poll director Patrick Murray said. "Carson and, to a lesser extent, Fiorina have surged, while Walker has faded into the background."
Walker was the previous Iowa frontrunner in a mid-July poll Monmouth poll. But the Wisconsin governor dropped by 15 points, while Carson surged by 15 and Trump gained 10.
Read the full summary of the Monmouth University Poll
Carson could be in the best position to rise even higher based on the poll's favorability ratings. Only 6% viewed Carson unfavorably while 81% viewed him favorably. Trump's unfavorable rating is 33%, with 52% seeing him favorably. Iowans' view of Jeb Bush dimmed with his favorable ranking now just 32%, down from 40% in July. He is viewed unfavorably by 51% of Republicans in Iowa, the poll said.
The Quinnipiac University Poll released on August 27, 2015, shows Carson second among Republicans nationally at 12%. Trump was first with 28%.
The first Republican debate was a turning point for Carson. Lead Stories' Trendolizer -- which tracks social media attention levels -- showed the retired neurosurgeon jumping to the top of the chart in the days and weeks after the Fox News showdown. While it does not measure sentiment, it was a clear sign that many voters were discovering Carson for the first time and were sharing his stories on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.
Lead Stories' Trendolizer is a political junkie. Scroll down to see the latest trending content it's found on the presidential race.
