Danny McAuliffe
Andrew Gillum is up 5 points on Ron DeSantis, according to the latest poll of the Florida gubernatorial race.
A NBC News and Marist College survey released Tuesday afternoon showed Gillum, the Democratic candidate, as the choice of 48 percent of likely voters. DeSantis, the Republican, came in at 43 percent. The lead is only slightly outside of the 4.7 percent margin of error.
Among all registered voters, Gillum appreciates a wider lead of 8 points, 49 percent to 41 percent. That’s well outside the 4 percent margin of error for that sample.
Notably, the poll shows Gillum picking up votes from independents, who broke for him over DeSantis 51 percent to 38 percent.
Gillum leads DeSantis significantly among black voters (86 percent to 9 percent). The Tallahassee Mayor is also a favorite of the youngest voting block (ages 18-29), women and Latinos.
DeSantis captured more support among whites, men and those aged over 45 years old.
Polls have consistently shown Gillum — once considered an underdog — ahead of DeSantis, President Donald Trump‘s choice for the Sunshine State.
A Rasmussen poll released last week gave the Tallahassee mayor a 6 percent edge on DeSantis, Gillum’s biggest yet. Another poll from Florida Atlantic University released last week had the race much closer, with Gillum up just 2 points on DeSantis. On Monday, the results of a University of North Florida survey had Gillum up 4 percent.
