Donald Trump pollster finds Matt Gaetz with dominating lead in CD 1

Matt Gaetz. Image via AP.

A new poll shows U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in a dominating position over Republican Primary opponent Aaron Dimmock.

Around 67% of likely Primary voters in Florida’s 1st Congressional District intend to vote for Gaetz, while just 20% plan to back Dimmock, according to a polling memo from Fabrizio, Lee & Associates. That’s a polling firm closely associated with former President Donald Trump’s current and prior re-election campaigns.

Beyond Gaetz’s lead on Dimmock in polls, it also finds the incumbent well-liked in his district, and Dimmock, a political newcomer, already underwater with voters.

“With near unanimous name ID in his district, Matt Gaetz’s image is positive with 66% viewing him favorably and 25% unfavorably,” wrote pollsters David Lee and Tom Fabrizio. “Aaron Dimmock’s image does not hold a candle to Gaetz’s and is at 9% favorable/15% unfavorable with a majority not even knowing who he is (57%).”

The pollsters estimate some $900,000 in outside spending has already been spent to help Dimmock in the race. The military veteran was vetted by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who has feuded openly with Gaetz since the Fort Walton Beach Republican orchestrated McCarthy’s historic ouster as House Speaker.

But while Gaetz has angered some of his GOP colleagues in Congress, he remains well-liked at home. The poll found 38% of voters have a “very favorable” view of the incumbent, more than half of those with a positive view. Around 43% of voters strongly approve of his job performance and another 32% somewhat approve.

“With an image and job approval that most incumbents would envy, Matt Gaetz has everything he needs from key parts of the electorate to win his primary,” the polling memo states.

“Gaetz maintains a strong and durable coalition of support from Northwest Florida Republicans. Gaetz’s numbers along with the endorsement he received from President Trump has him in a very strong position to win. Dimmock, with a little over a month until the election, has made up no ground, has no candidate definition, and has no significant support to lean on trying to topple Gaetz.”

Pollsters surveyed 400 likely GOP Primary voters from July 8-10. Pollsters report a 4.9-percentage-point margin of error.

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