Phil Ammann
A second poll in the Senate District 6 special elections in as many days confirms a substantial lead for state Rep. Travis Hutson over his opponent, state Rep. “Doc” Renuart.
StPetePolls.org conducted the poll of 504 likely Republican voters Jan. 12 on behalf of SaintPetersBlog.
Hutson, who currently represents Florida House District 24, leads by 27 points, 48% to 21% for Renuart. Republican Dennis McDonald gets 11%, with 19% undecided.
Voters also approve of Hutson by a wide margin. The Elkton Republican gets 53% positive rating and only 14% unfavorable; 34% are unsure. Renuart, a Pointe Vedra Republican, is slightly underwater in popularity, with 31% approval rating and 33% disapproval, with 37% unsure.
As for McDonald, most voters – nearly 60% — are unsure about him, while 23% are favorable and 17% unfavorable.
Hutson, Renuart, and McDonald are facing off in the July 27 GOP primary. The winner will face Democrat David Cox on April 7 to replace former state Sen. John Thrasher, who vacated the seat to become president of Florida State University.
District 6 is a Republican-leaning region, which covers St. Johns, Flagler and Putnam counties and parts of Volusia County. District 24 includes Flagler County, southern St. Johns County, and northern Volusia County. Renuart currently represents District 17, which includes northern St. Johns County, from St. Augustine to Palm Valley.
This poll used state of Florida registered voter lists valid as of Jan. 7. The random sample of electors included registered District 6 Republican voters.
Pollsters used two methods: automated phone calls and an email system. The poll was weighted demographically and only those voters voting in the 2014 or 2012 general elections were included. The poll has a 4.4% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.
