Latest poll shows Gillum still leading DeSantis
A Florida Southern College Center for Polling and Research survey just released has Democrat Andrew Gillum with a lead over Republican Ron DeSantis. The survey took place Monday, Oct. 1, through Friday, Oct. 5, and had Gillum with 47.13 percent support compared to DeSantis’ 43.82 percent. The +/- 4.49 percent margin of error makes this race a virtual tie. Although, and this is important, since Gillum’s primary night victory in late August, he has always led in all polls taken to date. Election Day is November 6.
Using live callers, the Florida Southern College poll was conducted using a telephone survey of registered, likely voters across the state. And while the results show a small degree of separation between the candidates, this race is still up for grabs.
In another important state race in Florida, incumbent Senator Bill Nelson is locked in a tie with Governor Rick Scott for one of Florida’s two seats in the U.S. Senate. Scott currently holds a 1.5-point lead over Nelson. While polls released over the past several weeks have shown Nelson to have a slight lead in this race, the Florida Southern poll is showing Scott making headway and gaining a marginal advantage.
Like the race for Governor and Senate, less than one point separates Republicans from Democrats on the generic House ballot. Additionally, when asked which party they wish to see controlling the U.S. House of Representatives after November’s elections, there is an effective tie between those who would like to see Republicans maintain control and those who would prefer for Democrats reclaim the majority.
Finally, President Trump continues to be influential in how voters evaluate candidates. When asked how influential the President will be to their choice of candidate, 54 percent of all respondents indicate he will be extremely or very important. When asked to evaluate his performance in office, a statistical tie emerges with 48 percent strongly or somewhat approving of his job in office and 48 percent strongly or somewhat disapproving.
