A new EPIC-MRA poll for various Michigan outlets finds that Rep. Peter Hoekstra has surged ahead of the Republican field in the race for Michigan governor, leapfrogging the better-known state Attorney General Mike Cox. Rick Snyder has seen the biggest growth, owing perhaps to his "One Tough Nerd" ad launched during the Super Bowl broadcast.

GOP Primary Election Matchup
Hoekstra 27 (+5 vs. last poll, 1/24-25)
Cox 21 (-5)
Snyder 12 (+9)
Bouchard 10 (-3)
George 1 (unch)
Und 26 (-6)

Democrats, meanwhile, still have no clear frontrunner in the August 3 primary. The field was shaken up with the decision of Lt. Gov. John Cherry (D) not to run. Denise Ilitch, included in the last survey, also announced she would not run despite the entreaties of national Democrats. State House Speaker Andy Dillon has just officially entered.

Democratic Primary Election Matchup
Dillon 17 (+11)
Kildee 12 (+7)
Bernero 7 (+2)
Wheeler Smith 7 (+5)
Und 45 (-6)

General Election Matchups
Cox 46 -- Kildee 37 -- Und 17
Cox 43 -- Dillon 36 -- Und 21

Hoekstra 41 -- Kildee 37 -- Und 22
Hoekstra 41 -- Dillon 37 -- Und 21

President Obama has a 45 percent job approval rating, up four points from the last survey. His disapproval stands at 54, down from 58. Outgoing Gov. Jennifer Granholm has just a 33 percent approval rating, up from 32 percent.

The survey of 600 likely voters was conducted February 22-25, and had a margin of error of +/- 4 percent. The Democratic and Republican primary subsamples of 400 likely voters had a 4.9 percent margin of error.

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