A new Field Poll of California Republicans shows former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is “within striking distance” of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

The poll, released this morning, shows 25 percent of California Republicans are backing Santorum for president. Romney is preferred by 31 percent of state GOP voters.

“In each of three prior Field Polls measuring California GOP presidential preferences, support for former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum amounted to just one or two percentage points,” today’s report noted.

“However, over the past two weeks the proportion of GOP voters in this state favoring Santorum has been increasing dramatically.”

Rep. Ron Paul got 16 percent of the state GOP vote, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich trails with just 12 percent.

Another 14 percent of state Republicans are undecided.

Santorum hasn’t done a lot of campaigning in California, since the state primary is not until June 5.

However, he made a surprise visit to the Coachella Valley earlier this month, where he attended a private fundraiser at The Vintage Club in Indian Wells  and a Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert.

The GOP presidential candidates will face off in a debate in Arizona today. You can watch it live at 5 p.m. on CNN.