Election 2016 Polls: Before Second GOP Debate, Where Do The Republican Candidates Stand?

Republican presidential candidates will gamble their standings in the polls Wednesday when they square off in the party's second debate of the 2016 election season. As they head into the primary debate, recent polls have shown Washington newcomers dominating, while support for seasoned politicians appeared to be on the decline.

Neurosurgeon Ben Carson has edged closer to front-runner Donald Trump. A New York Times/CBS News poll released Tuesday showed Carson surging to 23 percent with Trump at 27 percent. Before the first debate, Carson had 6 percent of support in the New York Times/CBS poll.

Compared to Trump, Carson garnered more support from college graduates, whereas the real estate developer was favored by those without a college education.

In the new poll, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush dropped to 6 percent from 13 percent, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker fell from 10 percent to 2 percent from the previous New York Times/CBS poll conducted before the first primary debate.

Among Republican primary voters, the rest of the candidates polled at the following: Mike Huckabee and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio with 6 percent each; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz with 5 percent; former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina with 4 percent; Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul with 3 percent each; former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has since dropped out of the race, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum with 1 percent each; and former New York Gov. George Pataki, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore each received less than 1 percent.

The latest Washington Post/ABC News poll released Monday found similar numbers. According to the poll, here's how Republican primary voters would vote:

1. Donald Trump -- 33%

2. Ben Carson -- 20%

3. Jeb Bush -- 8%

4. Ted Cruz -- 7%

4. Marco Rubio -- 7%

6. Rand Paul -- 5%

7. John Kasich -- 3%

7. Mike Huckabee -- 3%

9. Carly Fiorina -- 2%

9. Scott Walker -- 2%

11. Chris Christie -- 1%

11. Bobby Jindal -- 1%

11. Rick Perry -- 1%

11. Rick Santorum -- 1%

15. Jim Gilmore -- 0%

15. Lindsey Graham -- 0%