Poll: Romney leads GOP field with 20%

According to the survey, 20 percent of voters say Romney would be their first choice for the nominee, with retired neurosurgeon and conservative activist Ben Carson coming in second with 10 percent of the vote.

Other big name contenders, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, round out the top four, garnering 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee takes fifth place with 7 percent of the vote.

In what could be a telling 2016 indicator, when Romney is removed from the competitive set, the first place spot goes to Bush, whose family has publicly pressured him to throw his hat in the ring for months.