Ted Cruz the New National Frontrunner: GOP Nomination Odds Has Him 6-1
A newly released NBC/WSJ poll Wednesday night had Senator Ted Cruz as the new frontrunner in one of the most shocking turn of events since real estate mogul Donald Trump entered the political race for U.S. President last summer.
BetDSI.com had Cruz at 6-1 long odds to receive the GOP nomination after Trump, who was a -123 favorite and seeing 43 percent of the wagering action compared to Cruz’ 12.6 percent.
Trump has had held the top spot in the previous 31 consecutive national polls, according to RealClearPolitics, all but four of which he led by double-digits. In the last NBC/WSJ poll, Trump held a 13-point lead over Cruz.
The Texas senator has 28 percent support in the poll, with Trump at 26 percent. Marco Rubio follows, with 17 percent in the poll, which was conducted after Saturday's GOP debate.
“When you see a number this different, it means you might be right on top of a shift in the campaign,” said Bill McInturff, a GOP pollster who conducted the survey with Democratic pollster Fred Yang. “What you don’t know yet is if the change is going to take place or if it is a momentary pause before the numbers snap back into place.”
Mr. Trump still leads in polls in South Carolina, site of the next Republican primary this Saturday. Most polls had Trump leading by 13 points. BetDSI.com had Trump favored to win South Carolina at 1-12, a near lock, whereas Cruz would pay out $100 for every $10 bet with an upset win there.
