And the latest numbers came before the former Salt Lake Olympics boss and one-term Massachusetts governor gained momentum with a primary win in his native Michigan.

All other candidates in the crowded but soon-to-be thinning Republican field could do no better than 3 percent among Utahns likely to cast ballots Feb. 5.

For the Democrats, Hilary Rodham Clinton has a decided edge over Barack Obama and John Edwards among Utahns planning to vote. Nearly half — 46 percent — are most likely to choose Clinton, 23 percent Obama and 9 percent Edwards, according to the Jones poll.

Those numbers for Clinton and Obama are the reverse of what they were in October. Three months ago, the Illinois senator had support of 42 percent of Utah Democrats compared to 18 percent for his Senate colleague from New York.

But in both cases, the number of respondents who identified themselves as Democratic voters is relatively small, making it hard to read anything into the results.

Dan Jones & Associates surveyed 413 residents statewide Jan. 8-10. The margin of error was 5 percent.

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E-mail: romboy@desnews.com