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Michigan: Kilpatrick Clings to Tiny Lead in Aug. 5 Primary

ith less than a week to go before the Democratic primary, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D) led her closest challenger by just single digits, according to an EPIC-MRA poll for the Detroit News.

Kilpatrick was picked by 33 percent of survey respondents, 4 points ahead of former state Rep. Mary Waters, who had 29 percent. State Sen. Martha Scott scored 24 percent in the poll.

The poll questioned 400 likely voters July 27-28 and had a margin of error of 4.9 points.

Kilpatrick is in her toughest election battle yet since she defeated an incumbent in a crowded 1996 primary. The head of the Congressional Black Caucus, Kilpatrick has come under fire for supporting her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D), who has been indicted on eight counts following the aftermath of a whistle-blower trial and the public disclosure of his affair with his former chief of staff.

The poll also showed all the candidates to be well-known in the area. Kilpatrick was unknown by 2 percent of respondents, while Scott was unknown by 16 percent of voters and Waters by 22 percent.

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