Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is edging ahead of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in Michigan, a must-win state for Romney, according to a new poll released today by The Detroit News and WDIV Local 4.
The poll found Santorum with support from 34 percent of likely Republican primary voters, compared to 30.4 percent for Romney. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich trailed with 11.6 percent, followed for Texas Representative Ron Paul with 8.9 percent.
Until recently, the Feb. 28 Michigan primary was considered a near-certain victory for Romney. Romney grew up there, and his father George Romney was a Michigan governor in the 1960s. Romney has been stressing his hometown roots on the campaign trail. But coming off unexpected victories in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri, Santorum has been surging in popularity among conservative, evangelical, and Tea Party-affiliated voters. Romney and Santorum have started attacking one another in their advertising, as Santorum tries to sway the blue-collar voters in Romney’s hometown.
