Polls: Huckabee Leads Prez Field in SC

Two new polls show former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in first place among potential Republican presidential candidates in the key early primary state of South Carolina.

A Winthrop University survey puts Huckabee’s support at 19.1 percent, with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in second place at 16.6 percent. In an American Research Group poll, Huckabee tops the field with 20 percent support, and Romney is again in second at 18 percent.

Real estate mogul/reality TV star Donald Trump finished third in both polls, with 11.3 percent backing in the Winthrop poll and 13 percent in the American Research Group poll.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich placed fourth in the Winthrop poll at 8.1 percent, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took fourth in the American Research Group survey with 9 percent.