Peter Schorsch
In the first poll since Hurricane Michael devastated the Panhandle — and changed the course of state politics — the race for Florida Governor is virtually tied.
Twenty days before Election Day, Democrat Andrew Gillum is at 47 percent, while Republican Ron DeSantis is at 46. However, among those who say they have already voted, DeSantis is at 49 percent, while Gillum is at 45 percent.
A similar scenario is set up for Florida’s U.S. Senate race — heading into the stretch in dead-heat fashion, according to the new survey by St. Pete Polls. Republican Gov. Rick Scott has a two-point lead over Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
The poll comes with a definitive asterisk as respondents in portions of the Panhandle, specifically the Panama City media market, where Michael delivered his lethal blow, are under-sampled. A slight plurality of these voters typically supports Republican candidates.
Regardless, as Gillum and DeSantis try to find that pose looking still concerned about hurricane victims while scrambling for those last few votes, Florida appears headed toward the kind of election-night gubernatorial nail-biter the state saw in both 2010 and 2014 when Scott secured one-point victories only as final returns were posted.
There remain only a few of those last votes, according to the poll. Reform party candidate Darcy Richardson captures about 2 percent support in the Governor’s race poll, while 5 percent of Florida voters say they are still undecided.
The survey was conducted by St. Pete Polls, has a sample size of 1,974 respondents and has a 2.2 percent margin of error.
In the race for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat, Scott is setting up for what might be another nail-biter for his own record. He has a narrow lead over Nelson, 49 to 47 percent. Scott is at 50 percent with those who have already voted.
Respondents were also asked to rate Scott and Gillum’s response to Hurricane Michael. While Scott received strong marks for his efforts, Gillum’s numbers are a mixed bag.
Sixty-one percent of voters approve of how Scott has handled the response to Michael, while 21 percent do not, and 18 percent are unsure. Gillum, the Mayor of Tallahassee, is at 44/30 approve/disapprove with 25 percent unsure.
Compared with previous polls, spreads have tightened in the battle for independent voters, and across nearly every demographic group in the new poll. Past polling showed independents breaking solidly for the Democrats Gillum and Nelson, but this poll shows Gillum with only a 2 percent advantage and Nelson with a 5 percent edge. In past surveys, women were also breaking decidedly toward Democrats and men toward Republicans, but this time, the differences were mostly statistically insignificant.
75 comments
FR
October 17, 2018 at 11:48 am
Gillium supports open border, more crime, more drugs, MS13
Abolish immigration agents
1 billion for TEACHERS! Increased taxes small and mid size business, inc. taxes for all
Eliminate Medicare, Medicaid
Socialized medicine…those who paid 40 yrs. taxes will no longer enjoy private doctors,same benefits as illegals
Medicare for all will cost 13 trillion. Does not know where money is coming from.
Florida will become…like California 7k homeless, drug addicts living on the streets, housing unaffordable residents having to leave the state! Get out and VOTE for De Santis who has served our country in the Navy, supports our values, of freedom and prosperity. Offers jobs, prison reform, supports making quality healthcare at affordable prices. Supports illegal immigration reform and will protect open borders to decrease smugglers, cartel, human trafficking of women and children.
John
October 17, 2018 at 12:12 pm
You must be another thief , tell me that rick Scot is not a teeth , I am a republican but I never vote for Ricky Scot nor I can vote for same desantis liar ,
Dan Nigro
October 17, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Rick Scott should be in prison. He steals from the public, he has enriched his personal wealth by close to $1B that he has stolen from the citizens of Florida. DeSantis appears to have no policy other than whatever Trump says, he supports. Another wannabe who will take his cut from wealthy donors
Tony
October 18, 2018 at 10:23 am
No matter what you think about Rick Scott or Ron Disentis The new Democrat party will only bring a California style state of misery .Take a good look at California .Do you really want Florida to be that way.
John
October 23, 2018 at 10:59 pm
Thats spot on🎞
Alex
October 18, 2018 at 10:59 pm
Smh. The miss informed left….lmao. Go look up Mr. Gillum vs the FBI. Enjoy.
Elmo Glick
October 17, 2018 at 6:15 pm
I will not vote for any of these guys. I live in Maryland.
Elmo
Alex
October 18, 2018 at 10:57 pm
You sir are not a Republican. No chance, no way and no hell. Voting for a Sanders socialist and an empty suit democratic puppet. Can’t even spell Scott’s name right.
Jenny
October 19, 2018 at 8:08 am
You might want to work on your spelling instead of posting comments.
Shakoi
October 17, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Your comments are FAKE!!!!!!
BJ
October 17, 2018 at 1:12 pm
FAKE NEWS
ooskyoo
October 17, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Are you serious? Don’t insult our intelligence. NO ONE supports more crime, more drugs. To say any politician does is INSANE. Stop with this disgusting political mud slinging and fear stoking. Its ridiculous.
Vongartzen
October 17, 2018 at 4:19 pm
There’s nothing fake but socialism/communistic ideologies that Andrew Gillum stands for, Job killing 1 billion dollar tax hike, mrans more property taxes, higher fees on everyday items like cars, everyday items people use everyday, He wants open borders and welfare benefits for all illegal immigrants, Government run healthcare, will cause more wait times, where government bureaucrats make your healthcare decisions, and depending on your age if the will pay for it, and he’s under criminal investigation under FBI into city of Tallahassee, corruption and use of public office fir personal gain, Just remember Florida’s economy has risen over 1 trillion dollars, reduced state debt by 10 billion, Florida has over 1.6 million new jobs, and Florida’s unemployment rate dropped.under 4%, so a vote fir Gillum will be a vote fir communist socialism, and turn Florida into California, just think of a state income tax. Floridians will pay for of Gillum’s make believe Utopia.
Tee
October 17, 2018 at 9:13 pm
Stop lying! You’re making things up about Gillum because his record of service to the people of Florida is much better than his opponent – and you know it.
De
October 17, 2018 at 9:44 pm
What amazing record of service diloes he have. Tallahassee has the highest rate of violent crimes (rape/ murder ) in FL. He will turn FL into a sanctuary state which makes me sick. He wants to abolish ICE. He has an curuptio. Investigation for “kickbacks” while he mayor. He wants to end the Homestead exemption The free collage for all and my guess he will end the MERIT based scholarship. The plans to have a 40% business tax which will kill the economic boom of FL. He is wants to enforce tighter EPA REGULATIONS in FL. He is anti 2nd admenment He wants to decrease police officers and get rid of jails. He wants to abolish the death penalty in FL (Parkland parents and students should be upset. He had a horrible response fo hurricsin zhermsnid by turning away utility companies help that were not local. The people of Tallahassee went weeks without power. He promises medicare for all which he will never be able to do because it is a federal program. He is backed by left wingers Soros, Styers. Clinton, endorsed by Obama, Black Livss Matter, The DreAm .Builders, etc. there is so much wrong with Gillum there is no way he is right for aFL.
noSocialism
October 17, 2018 at 10:27 pm
total bs…gillum has never had a job outside of the public sector, just like his mentor bernie….DeSantis was a seal advisor in the navy. Gillum couln’t hold his jock.
Jenny
October 19, 2018 at 8:13 am
“Tee” He LOST the primary in Tallahassee, the city he is mayor of. What does that tell you? These points that people are making are not lies, it’s a fact that he wants to abolish ice, raise taxes on businesses, start taxing Floridians, open the borders, re-settling “refugees”….he said ” you are welcome in Florida no matter where you come from…….Please do not call people liars when you are not even aware of what this man is going to do to our state.
Roxy Jentes
October 17, 2018 at 9:27 pm
FAKE COMMUNIST BOT…GO ALONG WITH COMMUNIST RUSSIA, N.KOREA LIKE THE RUMP ADMIN AND STROKE THE SAUDI’S
LIKE RUMP! LIES AND THREATS TO STOKE FEAR! ANYONE WITH TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF GILLAM’S EXCELLENT PLANS CAN TELL YOU THIS IS ALL B.S. THEY FELL FOR RUSSIA’S INTERFERENCE WITH FALSE INFO BEFORE-YOU WON’T DO IT AGAIN!!
Joyce
October 18, 2018 at 10:32 am
Name calling does not make your comment sound more intelligent.
Sobe1213
October 17, 2018 at 5:50 pm
“Redtide Rick” is a level headed thief who took the 5th amendment 75 and had to settle for giving back 1.7 billion of the miney he had defrauded the government of .
#amazing!
Jenny
October 19, 2018 at 9:00 am
Sobe…where do you live? We here in Florida KNOW what you are saying is a lie. Those are Dem/mob talking points. Our state is the top in job creation, budget, growth,etc. Rick Scott has been there for us and as far as “red tide” is concerned, it is a naturally occurring thing that happens every year. He has demanded the Army Corp of Engineers stop dumping their polluted water in the Gulf and they IGNORE HIM! I live here ON THE BEACH so I know exactly what is going on. I am very active in the clean water battle. This is NOT Rick Scotts fault.
Tony
October 18, 2018 at 10:26 am
Oh by the way sanctuary cities let criminals Rule and that is not fake news .
Sue
October 17, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Gillum is not cutting medicare. We are 40th in education. Teachers deserve increases. You do not get it unless desantis has no health care policy
Andrew Hutchins
October 17, 2018 at 5:09 pm
desantis is a racist who will robert stamp dump’s bigoted agenda. Gillum actually cares about his constituents and the good of the country!
disabledvet
October 17, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Gillium is a pos socialist…scumbags
Joyce
October 18, 2018 at 10:35 am
Yeah, we heard that about Obama and he left office with 20 million and 64 million in book deals. How are you doing?
Louis
October 17, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Wow you sure know a lot about Mr. Gillium, there’s nothing positive about him. You must be a political genius it’s incredible how much you know wow well God bless you anyway.
Sobe1213
October 17, 2018 at 5:44 pm
A typical Trumpanzee response by someone who lives to spread the narrative of an orange alternative universe.
BeBe
October 17, 2018 at 6:56 pm
Yeah!!! And Gillum is black too!! (Sarcasm)
Mark
October 17, 2018 at 9:00 pm
Medicare for all is cheaper that current system with big insurance companies getting between patient and Dr and rationing care adding layers of beaurocracy and delays. Anyone with 2 functioning brain cells knows that getting the greedy money grubbibg insurers out of healthcare benefits everyone except for them. Ignorant people are hung up on this private health care is good idea. The object of any company (including insurance health care) is to charge as much as the market will bear (ie highest prices) while reducing the costs (ie heath care provided to the people). That is why for profit health care doesnt work. You get highest costs and lowest possible care the insurers can get away with. Last year the 4 or 5 biggest insurance cos pocketed over $30B in profits. That is reduced care higher costs. You cant put a middle man between the patient and Dr and think it will reduce costs. That is just Ignorant.
NR
October 18, 2018 at 2:28 pm
It’s easy to see that you guys voting for Gillum are either out of staters coming here to enjoy the state of Florida that is free from taxes and high crime like California, Detriot, and other Democrat strong holds or you’ve been brain washed by your left wing professors that won’t leave this country to live their socialist dreams elsewhere. The Democratic party is no longer the centrist party of old but has become a mix bag of poeple that will ruin America with policies that the rest of the world is currently rejecting as they have woken up to the harsh reality of socialism. Everyone coming to America comes here because it offers a dream that will become a nightmare with politicians like Gillum. There is no free lunch, we don’t need government run health care with it’s inefficiencies. What we need is a little reform to the system we have to make it more competitive. We need teacher to start teaching correctly without political bias and the students will pick capitalism over socialism every time. It’s easy to see you guys have never lived in a communist country as I have. I’ll give you one month living like a real Cuban in Cuba and all of you will become Republicans.
Brick
October 18, 2018 at 10:40 pm
You don’t have to live in a communist country, to understand that you don’t want that for this country! We fought too many misguided wars to know this. If you take care of your citizens like every first world country (Europe, Canada, Australia) health care, education, fair wages, you will have prosperity. If you follow the Latin American/Trump model, all the wealth goes to a very small group of super wealthy and once they cut all the great socIal programs and the middle class goes down hill, we can end up with Castro’s Cuba, Chavez’s Venezuela or what’s his name in Peru! Democrats’ started social
Security and Medicaid, Medicare, minimum wage public education, scholarship programs to make this country strong. Republicans are trying to rip it all away and give a trillion dollar tax cuts to the people who least need it.
MicheleRyan
October 17, 2018 at 10:07 pm
Liberal Democrat BILL NELSON and Socialist ANDREW GILLUM are running for Senate & Governor respectively. Nelson / Gillum both proudly supports abolishing ICE, sanctuary cities, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, using taxpayer funds for illegal aliens & DACA. In addition, both are weak on border security and national defense.
If you OPPOSE illegal immigration, taxpayer funds used for illegal aliens, sanctuary cities, amnesty r Please VOTE NO for BILL NELSON & ANDREW GILLUM this November….we can’t afford anymore Democrats.
Vote this election for candidates who prioritize citizens over illegal aliens (bet you thought that was a given …not anymore.) Those who oppose sanctuary cities, open borders, non citizens voting, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens and taxpayer funded in state college tuition discounts for illegals. That means NO Democrats. Democrats want to encourage, reward, protect illegal aliens with jobs, amnesty, drivers licenses, discounts for college tuition, scholarships, then after they’re here….protect them from deportation. This creates MORE illegal entry and the Democrats know this.
Recent Gallup poll- almost 60% of Democrats now view socialism positively, little changed from 2010 survey.
To Democrats programs like “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA) and “Temporary Protective Status” (TPS.) there is nothing temporary about these programs. To Democrats these are permanent programs with a false name to mislead the public…..and it worked. Once again Democrats have found and used liberal judges to stop these programs from deporting. The goal for Democrats is to flood the country with illegal aliens & refugees and fight against / eliminate deportations.
Notice how Democrats fight to the death against any voted ID laws.
The current migration at our southern border is costing taxpayers a Kings Ransom. Fleeing persecution? or fleeing for freebies? they sure don’t stay in Mexico when they reach “safety” or ask for political asylum in Mexico. Why? because Mexico will give them NOTHING. So they make the long journey to our border, our generous Democrats and our tax dollars. Just debating DACA in congress is costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars….. thank the parents.
Just a few examples of the more outrageous costs associated with illegal immigration, we will pass this burden on to our children and grand children as has been passed on to us.
*The cost of educating illegal aliens children is staggering. From K-12 it costs taxpayers $122,000 for EACH illegal alien student. This does not include the billions spent on bilingual education for illegal aliens.
*Taxpayers in numerous states are funding in state college tuition discounts for illegal aliens. Cost to taxpayers over a billion dollars annually.
*30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens.Does not include local jails and State Prisons. At $21,000 per year expense per inmate in Federal Prison U do the math.
*$3Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate, process Illegal aliens in the Criminal justice system. I repeat 3 MILLION a DAY.
*$2.2Billion dollars a year is spent on is spent on food assistance programs such as SNAP (food stamps) WIC, & free school lunches.
If you OPPOSE illegal immigration, taxpayer funds used for illegal aliens, sanctuary cities, non citizens voting, open borders, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, weak border security, tax increases. VOTE NO for ALL Democrats this November.
Donnamarie
October 17, 2018 at 10:09 pm
I couldn’t have said it any better! Thank you so much for your excellent comments! California is horrible with all of the homeless and drug addicts living in $million neighborhoods.
DrCroland
October 17, 2018 at 10:23 pm
Go back to your cage.
D from Melbourne
October 18, 2018 at 12:34 am
FR, Please don’t just
read the anti-Gillum
media sources…Study
both Republican and
Democrat offerings…
MM
October 18, 2018 at 1:57 am
As a regular visitor of Florida, I am concerned about Florida’s well-being with Gillium as Gov. I see Florida turning into California with very high taxes, more homelessness, and more crime. You cannot have a Gov that is against law enforcement, that will cause major problems, and increase crime. I see this living in Maryland. We have a Mayor and a States Attorney that do not support the law enforcement and Baltimore’s crime rate speaks for its self. Businesses are going to start to leave the state because the taxes he wants to increase. I am I teacher, and obviously I do enjoy a raise but it’s counter productive if they increase taxes. Be careful Florida voters.
Glover
October 18, 2018 at 12:13 pm
None of this is true, we do not want open borders and we do not MS-13 coming from South America we do not want to abolish ice just redirected we need to stop locking up kids and babies in cages Republicans please stop lying you lie just like Donald Trump he lies 24/7 I’m sure he will get around to Social Security Medicaid and Medicare I told you so
Sarah Hopkins
October 18, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Florida will become like California. You do know California is the 8th largest economy in the world right?
Sounds like land of opportunity opposed to Florida taking -$3 of Fed money for every resident where California is contributing +$15!
Spread your fake news somewhere else.
Brick
October 18, 2018 at 10:23 pm
Commorade, how is the weather in moscow, Russian bot? You’re outrageous lies are a dead giveaway!you forgot to mention that Gillum eats newborns for breakfast and is Florida’s biggest graffiti artist. Everything you write makes obvious that you know nothing about the man!
Mak
October 19, 2018 at 9:58 am
Andrew also helped lower violent crime in the City by more than 8 percent through increased investments in law enforcement, community policing, re-entry programs, and an expansion of social service funding.
Dr. Mark Burns
October 19, 2018 at 2:02 pm
No Trump, he does not. Your “facts” are incorrect.
Start obtaining your facts by actually researching the evidence instead of just repeating what Fox News/ State TV states.
Susan
October 20, 2018 at 8:21 pm
Gillium supports people- DeSantis supports his own bank account.
Jean rita
October 21, 2018 at 5:16 am
Fake news talking points
Patient thinking human
October 21, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Wow, a response this uninformed shows a lack of fact checking and critical thinking ability. NO politician wants to fling open the borders and invite drug lords and human traffickers in. Does that even sound credible when you say it out loud?
The very existence of folks unable to pull strings of truth out of balls of lies is an argument for increasing spending on education.
In fact every argument you make is an argument for increasing spending on education. Well educated people can create a forward thinking economy based on a future that is good for all concerned. They can think critically and meet their own basic needs. Once a person’s basic needs are met, they are free to live to a set of morals.
All of the things conservatives prefer to spend their money on suffer when education suffers as well. One must be educated to design the most devastating weapons of war or to operate them. On must be educated to be a first responder.
Garry Allyn DeManty
October 17, 2018 at 1:31 pm
Make a wise choice remember you can’t take your vote back and have to live by the results.
kjm
October 17, 2018 at 2:44 pm
A totally outsiders view here – but common sense would tell me with all of the assistance that Floridians will need to recover from the wrath of hurricane Michael – DeSantis is a sure bet for the best possible aid package. Gillum is openly hostile to the current administration – as is Nelson, that doesn’t bode well for negotiating the aid that Floridians will most certainly need. Not my vote – but if it was – it wouldn’t even be a question. Just my two cents!
ooskyoo
October 17, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Hmm – this sounds like bribery. Don’t we feel that our president should provide aid equally to all Americans in crisis regardless of how they voted. That sounds more like a democracy.
Laurie Jean Sullivan
October 21, 2018 at 5:19 am
Correct I feel that we will be living like the Jews in ww2 if Dems don’t have a good night
Andrew Hutchins
October 17, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Yeah, Jay like dump was so generous in his aid to Puerto Rico! Racist desantis will do the same to Florida
Nordonia Nate
October 17, 2018 at 5:40 pm
Hutchins…
You missed the latest news haven’t ya? Those supplies to Puerto Rico…. Appears the San Juan Mayor is being investigated for fraud… related to the past hurricane..
All that lying hate… What does all that lying hate get ya?
Adam Rosner
October 17, 2018 at 5:44 pm
And the current administration and Senate Majority Leader are hostile to Medicare and Social Security. I’d think Floridians might care about that as well.
Sobe1213
October 17, 2018 at 5:54 pm
No doubt Floridians care about those things. The Trumpanzees want you to believe their filthy lies.
Elmo Glick
October 17, 2018 at 6:16 pm
I want to believe your filthy lies. And your other lies.
Elmo
Sobe1213
October 17, 2018 at 5:46 pm
Incorrect!
LARRY SKINNER
October 17, 2018 at 3:29 pm
We are not and never have been a democracy! If our educational system was competant at all, they would be teaching each generation that we are and always have been a Republic and that is not a democracy. Within a state it is democracy but not for the Federal government.
Erma j
October 17, 2018 at 3:52 pm
DeSantis running these fake adds on Gillum..it’s repulsive
B Torres
October 17, 2018 at 3:58 pm
And so does Gillum. And your point is?
Adam Rosner
October 17, 2018 at 5:39 pm
What, you mean fake ads like how DeSantis voted to slash Medicare and Social Security as a congressman? Oh wait, whoops, he actually did that.
Sobe1213
October 17, 2018 at 5:47 pm
DeSantis =DeSaster
Andrew Johnson
October 17, 2018 at 4:44 pm
Interesting article. Worth noting how much a hurricane helped President Obama secure his reelection, hard not to see the same possibility here. Activists hate Rick Scott, but there’s no doubt he gives off a good air of the level-headed manager. Very interested to see how this election shakes out.
S. Peers
October 17, 2018 at 5:07 pm
After being elected governor of Florida, Rick Scott set up an investment account said to be a blind trust, and also transferred some assets to his wife, Ann. See the New York Times article about the corruption that this candidate appears comfortable perpetrating. He’s out for himself.
Trumpalingus
October 18, 2018 at 3:01 am
Rick Scott is a pos
Laurie Jean Sullivan
October 21, 2018 at 5:22 am
Look at what happened at hospitals he managed
Adam Rosner
October 17, 2018 at 5:37 pm
I guess Floridians are just itching to help Mitch McConnell cut their Medicare and Social Security.
Sobe1213
October 17, 2018 at 5:57 pm
The point is that DeSantis is a racist DeSaster and most people in Florida will not agree to vote in a puppet, Drumpf Jr.
Nordonia Nate
October 17, 2018 at 6:46 pm
Sobe… You sound worried… Besides being a hater.. What else have ya got?
Are you one of them texters sending out the racist texts for Gillum? Don’t lie now
Maemoe
October 17, 2018 at 9:05 pm
Vicious
Mike Hibicke
October 17, 2018 at 7:54 pm
I would rather vote for a nazi than a socialist.
Maemoe
October 17, 2018 at 9:06 pm
Just say no to Socialism
Bill
October 18, 2018 at 7:33 am
Mikes “ i’d rather vote for her not to over a socialist “ connect is what’s wrong the USA!
Sarah
October 18, 2018 at 8:15 pm
Let’s hope that the republicans do the same as the election. Keep quiet, and show up at the polls. We have witnessed first hand what the liberals are trying to do. The people are ready for a change. Mr Gilliam is not our guy. His track record speaks for itself. Please go vote
Jenny
October 19, 2018 at 8:15 am
“Tee” He LOST the primary in Tallahassee, the city he is mayor of. What does that tell you? These points that people are making are not lies, it’s a fact that he wants to abolish ice, raise taxes on businesses, start taxing Floridians, open the borders, re-settling “refugees”….he said ” you are welcome in Florida no matter where you come from…….Please do not call people liars when you are not even aware of what this man is going to do to our state.
Susy Simmons
October 19, 2018 at 9:09 am
I have a problem with people who vote for the guy that going to take from other to give to them so that they don’t have to worked harder to provide for themselves, meaning free healthcare, free college, and free housing, those are things that are the individual responsibility that is not the government job to provide for you by taking from other by force.
Patriotson
October 19, 2018 at 11:02 am
The number of socialist in Florida is astonishing. Higher taxes! Socialist health care, open borders, abolishing ICE. Cuban refugees know what a failed marxist ideology generates. Christians, get the vote out. Independents, duty, honor, country. Keep Florida strong and economically thriving. Gollum is a graduate of Soros school for revolution and destruction of rule of law
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