A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday revealed that former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is leading the race for the Republican presidential nomination and doing better against President Barack Obama than any of his primary rivals.

Romney leads among Republicans and GOP-leaning independent voters, taking 25 percent. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is second with 15 percent, while businessman Herman Cain takes third with 9 percent.

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas are tied for fourth with 8 percent, followed by two Minnesotans -- U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann with 6 percent and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty with 5 percent. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, who officially entered the race Monday, stands at 4 percent, while former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah lags behind with 1 percent.