Democrat Trails Potential GOP Rivals in Michigan Governor Race

Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry is trailing three Republican hopefuls in his efforts to hold on to the seat of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm who can't run again because of term limits, according a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Dec. 16.

Attorney General Mike Cox leads Cherry 39 percent to 34 percent with 9 percent preferring someone else and 17 percent undecided. Rep. Pete Hoekstra leads him 46 percent to 32 percent with 6 percent preferring someone else with 16 percent undecided. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard runs ahead by 42 percent to 32 percent with 6 percent preferring someone else and 20 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4.5 points.

A high percentage of voters at this point, ranging from 20 percent to 26 percent, don't know enough about any of the four to express a favorable or unfavorable opinion.