Florida Chamber poll: Floridians would prefer business person over trial attorney in Governor’s Mansion

John Morgan may be mulling a 2018 gubernatorial bid, but a new Florida Chamber survey indicates Floridians might not be keen on having a trial attorney in the Governor’s Mansion.

According to a Florida Chamber Political Institute survey released Monday, 67 percent of Florida voters polled said they would rather “a business person be governor” than a trial attorney. The poll showed 9 percent of Florida voters said they “would rather see a personal injury trial lawyer” serve as governor.

Democratic consultants in November began a push to draft Morgan, a well-known trial attorney, to run for governor in 2018. In a message to supporters later in the month, the Orlando Democrat said he appreciated the outpouring of support, but has “much to think about and do before (he jumps) into a decision of this magnitude.”

At the time, Morgan said he has a “pretty clear vision of what Florida’s next governor should do,” and outlined a series of issues — including decriminalizing marijuana and raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour — he’d like to see tackled.

It’s not surprising participants in the Florida Chamber survey weren’t thrilled with the idea of a trial attorney as governor. Recent surveys conducted by the Florida Chamber Political Institute showed Floridians had an unfavorable view of plaintiff trial lawyers.

According to a September poll by the Florida Chamber, 35 percent of Floridians had an unfavorable opinion of trial lawyers. The survey found 14 percent had a favorable view, while 24 percent said they “never heard of” them.