Mitch Perry
Donald Trump continues to enjoy a double-digit lead over any other Republican in a new GOP presidential poll released on Tuesday by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, but like Democratic Party front-runner Hillary Clinton, Trump’s negatives far outweigh the percentage of people who say they would vote for him.
Trump is at 25 percent, 11 points more than the second place candidate, Senator Marco Rubio, who has 14 percent. Jeb Bush is at 13 percent, Carly Fiorina at 11 percent, Ben Carson at 9 percent, and Ted Cruz at 6 percent.
However, only 35 percent of likely Florida voters have a favorable opinion of The Donald, with 53 percent having an unfavorable opinion.
The Chamber didn’t poll the Democratic candidates, but did poll on Clinton’s personal numbers. They weren’t good. Only 37 percent of likely Florida voters have a favorable opinion of her, while 57 percent have an unfavorable opinion (not unlike some recent national polls which show her besting the field).
In states like Iowa, Jeb Bush is underwater in terms of his personal ratings. Not so in his home state. Florida voters have a 48 percent favorable opinion of him compared to 39 percent who have an unfavorable opinion.
In one-on-one matchups, Clinton leads Trump, 42-41 percent. Bush beats Clinton 48-37 percent. However, if Trump goes third party, Florida would ultimately vote for Clinton. In that scenario, the poll shows Mrs. Clinton with 35 percent to Bush’s 32 percent, with Trump getting 21 percent of the vote.
Governor Rick Scott gets one of his best grades in this survey, with 48 percent approving of the job he’s doing, while 39 percent disagree. A plurality in the state – 44 percent – say the state is headed in the right direction, with 37 percent say it’s going the wrong way.
In terms of what’s most important –
- 24 percent of likely voters say job creation and the improving the economy is the most important issue facing Florida,
- 13 percent of Florida voters believe education should is the most important issue in the state,
- 9 percent of registered voters believe healthcare is the most important issue, and
- 6 percent of Florida voters believe immigration is the most important issue our state is facing.
And if the medical marijuana ballot that failed to pass in 2014 gets on the ballot in 2016, it will pass, according to the survey, with 67 percent supporting and 27 percent opposing.
The Florida Chamber political poll was conducted September 16-20, 2015, and the margin of error is +/- 4 with a 95 percent confidence level.
