Biden, Sanders lead Trump in Florida, Quinnipiac University poll finds

In an early look at the 2020 presidential race in Florida, former Vice President Joseph Biden leads President Donald Trump 50 – 41 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today (6/18/2019).

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders leads President Trump 48 – 42 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds. Matchups between Trump and other leading Democratic contenders are too close to call:

• Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren at 47 percent to Trump’s 43 percent;
• California Sen. Kamala Harris at 45 percent to Trump’s 44 percent;
• Former Texas U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke at 45 percent to Trump’s 44 percent;
• 44 percent for South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to 43 percent for Trump.

There are deep gender and racial divisions in the Biden-Trump matchup: Biden leads 58 – 34 percent among women, as men go 49 percent for Trump and 42 percent for Biden. Trump leads 52 – 42 percent among white voters, while Biden leads 79 – 9 percent among black voters and 57 – 32 percent among Hispanic voters.

Republicans back Trump 90 – 7 percent. Biden leads 91 – 3 percent among Democrats and 54 – 32 percent among independent voters.

Congress should not begin the process to impeach Trump, Florida voters say 62 – 32 percent. The only listed party, gender, education, age or racial groups supporting impeachment are Democrats, 64 – 28 percent, and black voters, 52 – 41 percent.

“Florida Republicans have won the last five major statewide elections, all by very close margins, but Sunshine State Democrats see these very early numbers as a sign that their losing streak might be coming to an end,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

“President Donald Trump trails both former Vice President Joseph Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders in general election matchups and basically ties other leading Democratic challengers,” Brown added. “While most Florida voters are feeling better financially, President Trump remains underwater with a 44 percent job approval rating and a 51 percent disapproval rating.”

Trump Approval Rating

Most Florida voters, 54 percent, say they are better off financially today than they were in 2016, as 23 percent say they are worse off.

But Florida voters still give Trump a negative 44 – 51 percent job approval rating, his best approval rating in the state since he was elected and up from a negative 41 – 53 percent score in a March 14 Quinnipiac University poll.

Democratic Primary

With 41 percent among Florida registered Democrats, Biden leads the pack for the March 17 Democratic Primary.

Sanders has 14 percent, with 12 percent for Warren, 8 percent for Buttigieg and 6 percent for Harris. No other contender tops 1 percent, with 16 candidates polling at less than 1 percent.

“Vice President Biden is the big winner in this poll. He leads the Democratic pack by a considerable margin and he runs best of the Democratic candidates when matched up with President Trump,” Brown said.

“Biden’s 41 percent share of the Democratic primary vote is three times that of the second place contender, Sen. Sanders.”

From June 12 – 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,279 Florida voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points, including the design effect. The survey includes 417 registered Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 5.8 percentage points, including the design effect.

Click here to see the poll.