Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders Lead in Iowa as the Poll Shows

Senator Bernie Sanders and Donald J. Trump have opened up solid leads in Iowa less than two weeks before the state’s caucuses kick off the 2016 presidential nominating contests, according to a poll released Thursday.

The survey from CNN/ORC shows Mr. Sanders, who was trailing Mrs. Clinton significantly in early December, erasing her lead and overtaking her. Likely Democratic caucusgoers now back the Vermont senator over Mrs. Clinton by eight percentage points, 51 percent to 43 percent. Last month she was ahead of him by 18 percentage points.

The results could spell serious trouble for Mrs. Clinton, who is also trailing Mr. Sanders in New Hampshire polls. While Mrs. Clinton is leading most national polls, the prospect of losing the first two nominating contests could deal a major blow to her candidacy.

Trump’s popularity in Iowa has grown 15 percent since a similar poll in August 2015.

Trump edged up to 31% support from likely Iowa Republican caucus-goers in the latest Quinnipiac University poll, after pulling in 28% in the same survey in December. His new standing puts him two points ahead of Cruz, a Texas senator, versus one.