Marco Rubio is surging in a new Quinnipiac University poll.
The U.S. senator from Florida, a newly-announced presidential candidate, is at the top of Republican pack, according to the April 16-21 survey. And his showing against Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton tops other potential Republican candidates.
Rubio had 15 percent support among Republicans in the survey, just ahead of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 13 percent and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker at 11 percent. No one else hit double digits.
Bush has some problems, as 17 percent of Republican voters said they definitely wouldn’t back him. Next on the no-way list was New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie at 16 percent.
Rubio, 43, has drawn favorable notices in recent weeks with his pitch that he’s the candidate of a new generation.
"The youngest member of the GOP presidential posse moves to the front of the pack to challenge Hillary Clinton whose position in her own party appears rock solid," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
"This is the kind of survey that shoots adrenalin into a campaign. Marco Rubio gets strong enough numbers and favorability ratings to look like a legit threat to Hillary Clinton."
Clinton remains well ahead among Democrats, with 60 percent. Pitted against Rubio, she’s ahead 45-43 percent. Rubio’s showing is better than any of his major Republican rivals.