Newt Gingrich Tops Iowa Poll

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's resurgence in the GOP race is apparent in the latest Iowa poll results.

The former House speaker placed first in a Des Moines Register poll released late Saturday, with 25% support, according to the Associated Press. That put Gingrich ahead of Rep. Ron Paul (R., Texas), with 18%, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, with 16%.Businessman Herman Cain, a previous top contender, suspended his campaign Saturday amid allegations of sexual harassment and adultery.With Cain's departure, the race has largely narrowed to a two-man contest between Gingrich and Romney, and some observers say Cain's absence plays in Gingrich's favor. The Iowa poll is significant because the state's caucuses, scheduled for Jan. 3, 2012, officially kick off the Republican primary season. Winners in early contests can get momentum -- and campaign contributions -- that can carry them through later state battles.>To order reprints of this article, click here: Reprints