Mitt Romney holds sizable lead in Iowa over presumptive Republican presidential candidates

By RYAN GORMAN

The third time could be a charm for Mitt Romney.

New polling shows the former Massachusetts governor is crushing all presumptive Republican presidential candidates in Iowa, where the first caucus is traditionally held.

Romney, who lost the 2012 presidential election to an incumbent Barack Obama, snagged 21 percent of votes, according to a Gravis poll cited in People's Pundit Daily (PPD).

Ex-Florida governor Jeb Bush came in third with 14 percent of the vote and Wisconsin governor Scott Walker held down fourth with 10 percent.

Undecideds made up 18 percent of those polled, good enough for second place.

Both Romney and Bush have yet to officially declare, but Romney has reportedly considered a third try and Bush has announced he is "exploring the possibility."

A declaration by either candidate could swing a large chunk of undecided votes in to their camp.

Doug Kaplan, the managing partner of Gravis, insisted to PPD that the gap between Romney's and the others can not easily be closed.

"Romney has never left the hearts and minds of Republican voters and he will hold the dominant position in the race for the 2016 presidential nomination until the other candidates spin up their own campaigns" Kaplan told the website.

"Romney's name recognition and the loyalty Republicans have for their last nominee give him an opportunity that no one else has."

Ex-Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, also reportedly considering another White House run, rounded out the top five with nine percent.

Kentucky Senator Ran Paul, the Libertarian-influenced son of former Texas Senator Ron Paul, came in sixth with eight percent.

"There is no doubt that Paul is gearing up for a run and the question is whether he can energize the people and pocketbooks that supported his father," Kaplan explained to PPD.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz and New Jersey governor Chris Christie each hauled in five percent. Florida Senator Marco Rubio snagged four percent.

Christie reportedly landed the top RNC fundraiser earlier this week in Ray Washbourne.

The Texas native confirmed to the Associated Press that he is stepping down from his post as finance chief for the Republican National Committee but declined to say why.

The Iowa Caucuses, which officially kick off the run to the White House, are scheduled for January 16, 2016.

Republicans now hold a majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The right's tide is clearly rising.

This could be Mitt's time to shine -- if he runs.