Buddy Dyer dominates in poll of Orlando mayoral race

Buddy Dyer
Dyer is also enjoying a strong approval rating.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is leading his four-way reelection campaign with majority support.

A St. Pete Polls survey released Monday shows the four-term Mayor with 52 percent support.

Dyer’s closest challenger is Samuel Ings who collected just 11 percent support, followed by Shantele Bennet who averaged 10 percent support. Aretha Simons posted just 4 percent support. 

The poll results should come as little surprise. Dyer has dominated all of his mayoral races since 2003, winning each by 20 to 30 points.

Dyer is also an accomplished fundraiser who has little trouble attracting backing from elected officials, local and big businesses, unions and community groups. He’s already pulled in several notable endorsements

It shows in his fundraising this election. Reports disclose he’s raised more than $355,000 — with none of his challengers raising even anywhere near $50,000. 

Dyer’s strong polling numbers are backed further by his popularity as an incumbent. The same St. Pete Polls survey showed Dyer enjoying a 62 percent approval rating with only 21 percent having an unfavorable opinion of his job performance. 

Dyer leads in every demographic based on age, gender, race and political affiliation. He’s the most popular among Democrats with nearly 58 percent of respondents supporting him. Only 39 percent of Republicans polled support Dyer, which is still a substantial lead over his challengers. 

The poll showed 23 percent of voters were still undecided in the race. 

St. Pete Polls surveyed 325 Orlando registered voters July 20-22. The poll has a 5.6 percent margin of error. 

The Orlando general election is Nov. 5 with a runoff scheduled, if necessary, for Dec. 3.

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


2 comments

  • Carl

    July 23, 2019 at 11:01 am

    This poll is a joke. Buddy Dyer is being challenged by 3 black people and he’s polling higher. This is laughable and what’s even funnier…you have two black women polling lowest. One is a murder suspect and one a veteran. I bet one of the women will beat him. My bet is on the veteran Simons. People are tired of seeing Dyer’s face.

  • gary

    July 23, 2019 at 3:13 pm

    Go figure. Orlando sticking with the Democrat failing platform! Wake Orlando… I see you heading towards L.A. and S.Fran east if you keep it up!

Comments are closed.


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