Story highlights Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump 44% to 37% in Michigan, according to a Suffolk University poll

Only 5% of 500 Michigan likely voters said they would support Libertarian Gary Johnson

Washington (CNN) Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump by seven points in Michigan, a battleground state both presidential candidates are eager to win in order to clinch 270 college electoral votes and the White House in November.

A Suffolk University poll released Thursday shows Clinton is ahead of Trump in the Great Lake State by a 44% to 37% margin. Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson appears to have less appeal among likely voters compared to others in states around the country, with only 5% of respondents saying they would back him. Jill Stein, the Green Party's nominee, only garnered support from 3% of those surveyed. Ten percent told researchers they were still undecided.

This latest poll solidifies Michigan's support for Clinton after Bernie Sanders won the Democratic primary with 49.7% of the vote March 8.

The numbers are a positive sign for Clinton in a state that handily elected President Barack Obama in 2008 with 57% of the vote before returning him to the White House by 54% in 2012.

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