Gingrich Closes in on Romney in California

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is closing in on Mitt Romney in the California version of the Republican presidential sweepstakes. The former Massachusetts governor holds just a 3-point lead over Gingrich, a new Field Poll shows.

Romney is the favorite for 26 percent of California Republicans, compared with 23 percent for Gingrich. Gingrich, who had been well back in the pack in previous California polls, raced into second place in the Nov. 15-27 survey.

And he’s well ahead of former businessman Herman Cain at 9 percent, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, at 5 percent; Texas Gov. Rick Perry, 3 percent; Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, 3 percent; former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, 2 percent; and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, 1 percent.

Perry has dropped off dramatically from September. when he polled at 22 percent. Support for Romney, which had been steady in June and September polls at 30 percent, has also declined.

However, the race is far from set, with those declaring themselves undecided rising to 26 percent in November from just 16 percent in September. Additionally, 77 percent who expressed a preference for a candidate say they have not yet made a final decision on which candidate they will support in California’s June presidential primary.