Internal poll shows Heather Fitzenhagen with a double-digit lead on Ray Rodrigues
Heather Fitzenhagen, Ray Rodrigues.

Fitzenhagen Rodrigues
The poll shows her lead grow with attacks on his environmental record.

Fort Myers Republican Heather Fitzenhagen may start a Senate race in better position than conventional wisdom may suggest.

A Remington Research Group poll shows Fitzenhagen with a 10% lead over primary opponent Ray Rodrigues.

The survey, paid for by Fitzenhagen’s campaign, was conducted on June 18 and 19 among likely Republican primary voters and found 34% of primary voters would vote for Fitzenhagen if the election were held today, while 24% would back Rodrigues. About 42% remain undecided. That puts Fitzenhagen’s lead outside the poll’s 4.5% margin of error.

Rodrigues’ campaign declined to comment on the poll.

Pollsters said the results showed local support will determine the GOP primary’s outcome

“These numbers are why incoming Senate President Wilton Simpson and the political establishment are scared,” a polling memo reads. “Not only do their endorsements mean nothing in this race, their hand-anointed candidate, Ray Rodrigues, is embarrassingly behind.”

The advantage, pollsters write, may be attributable to a slightly higher percentage of female voters in the electorate. Fitzenhagen may also enjoy higher name recognition in the district as she now serves as Representative for state House District 78, which falls entirely within Senate District 27. Rodrigues, also a state lawmaker, represents House District 76, which only lies partially within the Senate district.

Moreover, the poll suggests a messaging strategy — tying Rodrigues to the sugar industry — that could prove especially sweet.

The poll refers to Rodrigues as “Sugar Ray” and informs respondents that he is a politician “beholden to the Florida sugar lobby” and mentions money accepted from agriculture and phosphate mining companies has significant sway on results.

About 60% of those polled say the information makes them less likely to vote for Rodrigues, while 7% say they are more likely to do so. A head-to-head poll after that messaging gets presented shows Fitzenhagen’s advantage grow to 48% against Rodrigues’ 20%.

The poll also checks whether endorsements by local legislative leaders including Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto and Rep. Dane Eagle will impact voters. There, Rodrigues nets support but not enough. While 34% say that news makes them more likely to vote Rodrigues, 20% say they would be less inclined to do so based on that news.

That’s especially notable considering Eagle’s and Benacquisto’s endorsements were the first Rodrigues touted.

After being informed of Rodrigues’ endorsements and of Fitzenhagen’s “business experience and commitment to preserving Florida’s resources,” respondents still favor Fitzenhagen 43% to Rodrigues’ 25% in a head-to-head.

It’s an interesting finding that doesn’t take into account other electoral advantages for Rodrigues.

The support from Simpson and the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee may mean little to voters but the statewide Republican Senate effort has $8.85 million in cash it intends to use for its endorsed candidates. The poll notably did not discuss Rodrigues’ support from Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, who represents the neighboring District 28 and is slated to take over as Senate President in 2022 should Republicans still hold the Chamber.

And while Fitzenhagen has to effectively start over in fundraising sinceabandoning a federal campaign pursuing an open congressional seat, Rodrigues raised $409,666 for his Senate campaign and controls two committees with more than $600,000 in cash on hand.

But the poll suggests Fitzenhagen boasts advantages of her own in the race, perhaps enough that Rodrigues should be considered the underdog in the August 18 primary.

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


5 comments

  • Harold Finch

    June 22, 2020 at 9:25 am

    She is a complete buffon, and a puppet for Trail Lawyer John Morgan. Her long-time trist with former Rep. HAlsey Bershears (now Business & Professioanl Regulation agency head) is the only thing she did while in the House and did not make a move without his apporval. Hopefully the VOter in Senat District 27 will see her falacies!!!

    Vote Ray!!!!

  • Just sayin'

    June 22, 2020 at 10:44 am

    “The survey, paid for by Fitzhagen’s campaign…” stopped reading. Harold – that’s a serious (and misspelled) accusation. Hope that’s not your real name.

  • Florida Voice for the Unborn

    June 22, 2020 at 12:54 pm

    This “internal” poll seems to be a complete joke. Rep. Fitzenhagen is a pro-abortion activist. During the 2020 Legislative Session, she voted AGAINST commonsense, highly popular legislation that requires a minor female to obtain written consent from her parent or guardian prior to undergoing an abortion. Fitzenhagen is an extremist and is controlled by Planned Parenthood. No matter how much blood-soaked money she receives from the abortion industry in her delusional effort to fool voters, Fitzenhagen will still go down in flames during the primary election. Bye, Felicia!

Comments are closed.


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