New poll shows Cox edging Hoekstra in Mich. GOP field

A new poll shows state Attorney General Mike Cox edging Rep. Pete Hoekstra in the GOP field for Michigan's 2010 gubernatorial race.

27 percent of Michigan Republicans say they prefer Cox in next year's matchup over Hoekstra, the ranking member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, who receives the support of 24 percent of voters.

12 percent support 2006 Senate candidate and Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard (R), while other candidates poll in the single digits, according to a poll conducted by Mitchell Research & Communications and reported Monday by the Detroit News.

The new poll represents a flip in GOP frontrunner status reflected in a separate poll released last week. a Denno-Noor poll showed Hoekstra leading Cox 21-15.

Cox also leads the most likely Democratic candidate to succeed two-term incumbent Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), her lieutenant governor, John Cherry. A third of Michigan Republicans said they were undecided.

Cox maintains a 16 point lead over Granholm, according to the Mitchell poll.

Both Hoekstra and Cox have seen some professional extra-curricular activities sidetrack their campaigns in recent weeks.

Hoekstra has been a vocal opponent of moving terrorist detainees to the U.S. to face trial, while Cox will be deposed in a case exploring his alleged involvement in an investigation into former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's (D) criminal activities.

The Mitchell poll was conducted Nov. 17-19 and has a four percent margin of error.