July 21, 2015 - Latest election poll on the 2016 Republican nomination battle shows Donald Trump surging to the largest lead of any GOP candidate so far this year. Trump has the support of 24% of those polled.

This poll which was largely taken after a fire storm erupted on Saturday July 18th when Trump said during an interview that Senator John McCain is only a war hero "because he was captured."

Trump's fellow 2016 Republican Party presidential competitors were quick to pounce on him , with former Texas Governor Rick Perry going so far as saying that Trump should withdraw from the race.

The next series of polls due out in the coming weeks will be able to measure the effect the McCain controversy will have on Trump's standing in the polls.

In second place in the polls was Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker with 13% followed by former Florida Governor Jeb  Bush with 12%.

In fourth place was former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee with 8% followed by Senator Marco Rubio of Florida with 7% , Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky with 6% and Dr Ben Carson with 6%.

Tied at 4% each were Senator Ted Cruz of Kentucky and former Texas Governor Rick Perry . In the all important 10th spot which will be the final position for entry into the upcoming GOP presidential debate on August 6 in Cleveland was New Jersey Governor Chris Christie with 3%.

Right on Christie's heals and threatening his inclusion in the first debate is Ohio Governor John Kasich and Louisianan Governor Bobby Jindal both with 2%.

At 1% in the poll was former New York Governor George Pataki and former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Registering at 0% in former CEO Carly Fiorina.