COLUMBIA (WACH) -- The latest poll in South Carolina keeps 2012 GOP primary candidate Herman Cain slightly ahead of Mitt Romney.
The Georgia businessman pulled in support from 30 percent of those likely Republican primary voters polled in the NBC News/Marist Poll.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Romney trailed by four points. Next in line is Texas Gov. Rick Perry with 9 percent. Fifteen percent remain undecided.
Full Results:
30% for Herman Cain
26% for Mitt Romney
9% for Rick Perry
6% for Newt Gingrich
5% for Ron Paul
5% for Michele Bachmann
2% for Rick Santorum
1% for Jon Huntsman
Less than 1% for Gary Johnson
15% are undecided
Additionally, only one in four of those polled are dissatisfied with the field of candidates.
The results released following Tuesday's CNN Western Debate, are similar to a recent American Research Group, Inc. poll in the Palmetto State. Cain picked up 26 percent of likely GOP primary voters. However, Romney trailed by only one percentage point, with Perry at 15 percent.
“This first test of candidate strength in the South is shaping up right now as a two-way contest between Cain and Romney,” explains Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. “Team Romney has to be concerned about Cain’s 40% lead among likely South Carolina voters who strongly support the Tea Party.”
An ongoing poll on MidlandsConnect.com puts Perry ahead of Cain, followed by Romney. Who do you think is the strongest candidate of the 2012 GOP Presidential Primary race? Vote in our poll below and leave a comment.