CONCORD, N.H. — Republican Jon Huntsman's presidential fortunes may have little to do with his party's conservatives.
If there is a path to success for the former Utah governor in the nomination race, it is likely lined with independents.
Independents are a key voting bloc in New Hampshire and other early voting states that allow unaffiliated voters to help select the next Republican nominee.
Huntsman has bet big on New Hampshire, where he's devoted virtually all his time and energy in recent months. And polling suggests his candidacy may be on the rise, thanks largely to tens of thousands of independents likely to vote in the Jan. 10 Republican primary.
A recent Suffolk University survey put him in third place, with 13 percent among likely New Hampshire GOP primary voters.
© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.