Which Republican will be the first to drop out of the 2016 presidential race?
TRENTON -- The Republican presidential field for 2016 is a record 17 strong this summer, with an unlikely frontrunner (Donald Trump), acrimonious talk among candidates (Gov. Chris Christie vs. Rand Paul; Jeb Bush vs. Trump), and others either fading badly (Paul) or struggling to get noticed in the crowd (Jim Gilmore, George Pataki, Bobby Jindal).
A recent Politico "caucus" of political insiders says former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is most likely to be the first to go, followed by Gilmore, the former Virginia governor.
RELATED: Christie takes another shot at Trump, signs Republican loyalty pledge on-air
But with just about all the candidates seeking to have a billionaire in their corner and Trump pledging his own cash, many feel the gaggle could remain 17 strong through the first few primaries and caucuses next year. Frontrunner Trump says his campaign is the real deal, vowing: "I'm not going anywhere." And several candidates say they are undaunted by lagging poll numbers, such as Christie, who is vowing weekly trips to first-primary state New Hampshire that he says will slowly build support into the February presidential contest.
What do you think? Who will be the first to pack it in? Vote in our informal, unscientific poll below.
MORE CHRIS CHRISTIE
Claude Brodesser-Akner may be reached at cbrodesser@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClaudeBrodesser. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.