A.G. Gancarski
A survey of 3,134 likely voters released Tuesday morning by the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab shows bad news for Florida’s leading Republicans.
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with Gov. Ron DeSantis, all struggle with unfavorable ratings of over 50% for all three men.
While none of the three are on the 2020 ballot, the survey nonetheless shows the struggles of the larger party have seeped into Florida’s biggest GOP names.
Of voters surveyed, 46% approve of Rubio, with 51% disapproving. Scott is slightly worse off, with 45% of those surveyed backing him and 53% in opposition.
And DeSantis, who spent much of his first year enjoying an extended honeymoon in surveys like this, continues to struggle. While 47% of those polled like the Governor’s performance, a full 51% pan it.
Polling director Dr. Michael Binder suggests the common thread may be “voters’ concerns about connections to President Donald Trump.”
As Binder’s assessment suggests, Trump remains underwater in Florida. According to the poll, just 46% of voters approve of the President while 53% expressed disapproval.
Whether the Trump connection is or is not a factor, all three men share similar struggles with those polled. While popular with White voters and Republicans, they all three are wildly unpopular with Black voters and Democrats. And they face a major gap with female voters.
Rubio, Florida’s senior Senator, is holding 55% of White voters, but is underwater with Black voters and Hispanics alike. Just 10% of Black voters approve of the second-term Republican, while only 47% of Hispanics support the Cuban-American, with 51% in opposition.
Rubio’s Senate colleague is in similarly rugged terrain, with majority support among White voters (52% approval versus 47% disapproval).
Rick Scott does even worse than Rubio with Black and Hispanic voters surveyed. Just 6% of Black voters back Scott, who is also regarded favorably by just 46% of Hispanic voters surveyed.
The current Governor isn’t doing much better than Scott. While 55% of the White voters surveyed enthused about DeSantis, just 44% of Hispanic voters and 13% of Black voters back the Governor.
The UNF poll assumes a +1 GOP edge, with 39% surveyed identifying as Republicans, 38% as Democrats, and the balance with third parties or no party at all. The margin of sampling error was +/- 1.8%.
15 comments
Sonja Fitch
October 6, 2020 at 9:32 am
There is no Republican Party! There are Only goptrump cult sociopaths! Gaetz and Byrd are quickly being joined in ranks by these three ,Desantis,Rubio and Nazi Rick! Close up in the goptrump cult running is Rutherford !! My my old white men and their white privilege is going to be voted out! VoteBlue! Vote Democrat up and down ballot!
Simon
October 6, 2020 at 9:48 am
The three saddest faces in Florida politics! I think they are seeing what the future holds for them.
Lise
October 6, 2020 at 10:32 am
Vote Blue! Florida didn’t need to suffer so badly from Covid. All Trump had to do was to urge Florida residents to wear maskS and distance. He did not…he is complicit in so many deaths. Vote Blue for our children’s future. We simply cannot survive 4 more years of recklessness
Charlotte Greenbarg
October 6, 2020 at 10:51 am
Aha, the far left trolls are active. Survey is just as hokey as the polls were in 2016. #Trump2020 #GOP2020
S.B. ANTHONY
October 6, 2020 at 11:40 am
All circling the drain, along with the turd who we’re flushing on the third
(if he lives that long with the Trump Virus)!
R eastwood
October 6, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Don’t any of you get it. You have put our health in danger over and over again you have put our kids in danger over and over again. By sending them to school to early by having them bring home the Covid to the house where elderly is living. You have open up the state to soon, all three of you are nothing but puppets to Trump and as you can see he is losing as well all three of you your time it’s going to be up very very soon.
GD
October 6, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Everything Trump touches turns to crap. He is such a sociopath and the others cowering worms refusing to stand up to Trump’s mental illness for the people, get what they deserve.
Tony
October 6, 2020 at 1:26 pm
One word for the three of them COWARDS.
Gil
October 6, 2020 at 2:28 pm
Idiots stupid. Grow a pair. And fix your homeboy trump before is to late. The tsunami is coming. The rep party will go down from any leadership position in the USA
Patricia Seldin
October 6, 2020 at 2:46 pm
I Still support Rick Scott & Marco Rubio. DeSantis is too much of a puppet. He stood up when we needed him for Parkland. Then just became to Trump Jr. Sorry but DeSantis will have to work really hard for my Vote.
Joseph Cucchiara
October 6, 2020 at 3:53 pm
These three stooges, particularly DeSantis are puppets to a demonic egotistical narcissist who haven’t got a back bone among them. Make sure you all remember these useless puppets when they come up for reelection. See how they try to make Biden’s and our lives miserable when Biden wins. These guys vote on party lines only. They are like sheep!!!!!!!!
Sonja Fitch
October 6, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Surprise visit from trumpvirus carrier Trump for Miami debate! Miami mayor says No! Cancel the debate til Trumps test negative!!!!! Do not allow this criminally negligence to occur Duffus Desantis!
James Robert Miles
October 6, 2020 at 7:32 pm
VOTE HIM OUT, LOCK HIM UP!! DUMP TRUMP 2020, Return SANITY to America!!
Linda McWilliams
October 6, 2020 at 7:56 pm
I live in FL and will be voting Blue , FL is one of the most corrupt states out of 50. The entire state needs to be investigated and the crooks locked up.
PeterH
October 7, 2020 at 11:01 am
Across the USA the Republican agenda is being challenged. Florida’s representatives are three of the worst examples of incompetence. Vote Blue up and down the ticket.
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