POLL: Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum Builds Lead Over U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis In 2018 Election

By  //  September 14, 2018

Gillum leads DeSantis 48% to 42%

A new poll shows Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, holds the lead over former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., in Florida.

(SUNSHINE STATE NEWS) – A new poll shows Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, holds the lead over former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., in Florida.

Rasmussen Reports released a poll of likely voters which shows Gillum taking 48 percent followed by DeSantis with 42 percent. While 8 percent are undecided, 2 percent back other candidates. Gillum is also ahead with voters who say they are certain to vote 49 percent to 44 percent.

Both candidates have nailed down their party base with 82 percent of Democrats behind Gillum and 80 percent of Republicans supporting DeSantis. Voters outside the major parties break for Gillum as the Democrat takes 54 percent of them and DeSantis pulls 29 percent of these voters.

White voters are generally divided with DeSantis holding a 46-45 edge but Gillum gets 75 percent of black voters. Hispanics are for DeSantis 48 percent to 37 percent.

Gillum leads with women, voters under 40 and seniors. DeSantis is ahead with men and voters between 40 and 64.

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Half of those surveyed–50 percent–see Gillum as favorable while 36 percent see him as unfavorable. DeSantis is seen as favorable by 45 percent while 42 percent see him unfavorably.

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The same poll showed U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., barely edging Gov. Rick Scott 45 percent to 44 percent.

Asked about the most important issue of the election, 23 percent say the economy, 15 percent say government ethics and corruption, 13 percent say taxes, another 13 percent say illegal immigration, 8 percent say social issues, another 8 percent say the environment, 6 percent say education and another 6 percent say school safety.

The poll of 800 likely voters in Florida–35 percent of them Republicans, 34 percent of them outside of the major parties and 31 percent of them Democrats–was taken from Sept. 10-Sept. 11 and had a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent.

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