Ryan Nicol
A new Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey gives incumbent U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart just a five-point lead over Democratic challenger Mary Barzee Flores in the race for Florida’s 25th Congressional District.
The poll shows 41 percent of the poll’s respondents say they plan on voting for Diaz-Balart on Nov. 6.
But Barzee Flores is close behind with 36 percent, followed by 22 percent who say they’re undecided.
That’s a net movement of two percentage points for Barzee Flores since the last PPP poll in May showed her down seven points.
Respondents were asked several questions regarding the ACA prior to being asked about their preference between Barzee Flores and Diaz-Balart. That may have skewed their answer, which is why pollsters are encouraged to ask the ballot question prior to testing issues.
The survey was commissioned by Protect Our Care, a group advocating for the preservation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
In response to questioning on the ACA, 49 percent of respondents say they support the law. Just 37 percent oppose it. 14 percent were not sure.
Similarly, 49 percent say they trust Democrats more on the issue of health care. But 46 percent trust Republicans and President Donald Trump more. Only 4 percent were undecided.
When asked about their votes going forward, 51 percent prefer “a Democrat who supports the Affordable Care Act and wants to improve it.” That compares to 43 percent who’d rather vote for “a Republican who wants to repeal” the ACA.
Those numbers could bode well for the Democrats, who have signaled their desire to keep health care at the forefront of the 2018 midterms after Republicans’ failed attempt to repeal the ACA last year.
That’s sure to be the case in this race as well. Just last week, Barzee Flores released an ad arguing Diaz-Balart’s health care record is “hurting families.”
