(RALEIGH) -- The campaign of Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain is gaining traction in North Carolina, according to the latest survey by Public Policy Polling. The poll  found that Cain leads the crowded GOP field in the Tar Heel State.

"The most conservative voters who Cain is now strongest with have moved from (Rick) Perry, who was sort of their darling for about a month or two, now they've moved on to Herman Cain and that's what seems to be fueling his resurgent numbers," said Dustin Ingalls, assistant director of Public Policy Polling.

In the poll, Cain was followed by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, both tied for second. Cain was on top with 27 percent of respondents favoring him as their choice for the GOP nomination.

Ingles said the most conservative Republican voters have been shopping for a candidate all year and Cain’s support is most likely temporary. "They've sort of been looking for someone to get behind and they've been moving from candidate to candidate as the months have gone along."