Two new polls put Newt Gingrich squarely in the lead in the Iowa Caucus. On Sunday the Des Moines Register released its poll by Selzer & Co. showing Gingrich leading with 25 percent. From the Des Moines Register:

Gingrich, with support of 25 percent of likely Republican caucus goers, is seven points ahead of the rising Ron Paul, who’s at 18 percent. Mitt Romney drops to third, at 16 percent, denting his previously armor-plated Iowa polling average. Romney’s support stood at 22 percent last month.

And this morning the NBC/Marist poll also found Gingrich ahead with roughly a quarter of the likely caucus voters. From MSNBC:

In Iowa, which holds its caucuses on Jan. 3, Gingrich gets the support of 26 percent of likely caucus-goers (including those leaning towards a candidate) — a 21-point jump since October.

He’s followed by Romney at 18 percent (an eight-point decline), Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 17 percent (a five-point increase), Herman Cain at 9 percent (an 11-point drop) and Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 9 percent (a two-point dip). No other Republican presidential candidate gets more than 5 percent support among likely caucus-goers.

While Gingrich’s lead isn’t large — 3/4 of Iowa GOP voters would still prefer someone else — he currently has the momentum in the race. With less than one month until the Iowa caucus, barring yet another significant change in the direction, it’s likely that Gingrich is heading towards a victory in the state.