Jacob Ogles
New polling suggests Republican voters strongly support Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a Special Session. It also shows the Legislature enjoys much softer public support than the Governor.
The Tyson Group, a respected firm that notably worked for DeSantis’ presidential campaign, said the Governor enjoys a 91% approval rating among likely Republican Primary voters, with 79% strongly approving.
Moreover, the poll found immigration and border security as a top issue for a plurality of those voters (38%). By comparison, improving the economy came in second, the top issue of 20% of those polled, while 11% consider reducing inflation their top priority.
DeSantis said the primary reason he wants Florida lawmakers in town for a Special Session is to approve legislation to empower President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. The poll found 85% support DeSantis’ Special Session call, with 72% strongly backing it.
“The results indicate a strong desire for legislative action,” wrote pollster Ryan Tyson.
But legislative leaders have pushed back on rushing into a Special Session. A memo from Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez issued a memo hours after the Special Session announcement calling it “completely irresponsible” to take up immigration before Trump takes office and delivers specific policy guidance.
Notably, Trump later said he supports DeSantis’ Special Session call.
Tyson’s poll asked voters about the urgency of a Session. About 72% supported acting now, with 65% saying they “definitely” want immediate action. Meanwhile, only 18% feel lawmakers should wait to take up the issue during the Regular Session in March. About 10% said the issue should definitely wait.
But beyond the issue and urgency, Florida Republicans also simply have less sympathy for the Legislature than DeSantis.
The poll found 65% of like Republican Primary voters do approve of the job the GOP-controlled Legislature is doing, but that’s substantially lower support than DeSantis enjoys. The support certainly is stronger than for Congress, with 69% disapproving of the work being done by lawmakers in Washington.
But Tyson noted that the support for state lawmakers appears hollow.
“Their support is soft with only 32% strongly approving and 25% of voters expressing uncertainty,” Tyson wrote.
Pollsters surveyed 600 likely Republican voters on Jan. 14 and 15. The poll was conducted for The American Promise.
FL GOP Primary Survey Pre-Session Memo by Jacob Ogles on Scribd
11 comments
SuzyQ
January 17, 2025 at 4:32 am
Unfortunately, the constituents of Florida Senate President Ben Albritton and Florida House Speaker “Little” Danny Perez will become victims of many a line-item veto. Benny and Little Danny are in for a world of hurt over the next 2 years, provided their own caucuses don’t throw them under the bus in the interim. When I think of fake-courage RINOs, these 2 clowns come to mind.
Fake poll
January 17, 2025 at 7:07 am
Yeah I wonder how they carried out the sampling and methodology on this. I for one, DO NOT support the governor on this. If the feds want to pursue deportation that’s something they need to fund. Fake poll, just like faux news.
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
January 17, 2025 at 8:19 am
CHASTIZED
La Verdad es La Verdad
January 17, 2025 at 8:55 am
Did you even read the poll? You can stupidly disregard it, to fit your own agenda, but it’s real and relevant.
Illegal immigrant crime rates are through the roof (despite what FBI fake data tells us) costing local and state governments more than will be spent on deportation operations. Then there is all of the social program support for them.
Come here legally – I’m Latino myself, pro-immigration – but come here LEGALLY!
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
January 17, 2025 at 8:28 am
Thank you, Beloved SuzyQ,
Your above Sage wisdom rings like a Church Bell in the ears of all Florida’s Senators & Representatives as the work together with AMERICA’S GOVORNOR, Ron Desantis, to find a way to “SPAY AND NEUTER” both Florida Senate President Ben Albritton & Florida House Speaker “Little” Danny Perez.
Love me some SuzyQ,
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
Wake up Rhonda!
January 17, 2025 at 7:09 am
If immigration crack downs and deportation is coming, you might as well increase your Florida prices another 25% or more. That’s the entire workforce for construction, agriculture, and your manufacturing in the state. Clearly a governor who’s out of touch with the state economy. No more MAGAts
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
January 17, 2025 at 8:19 am
CHASTIZED
Peachy
January 17, 2025 at 8:35 am
Finally the open border chaos that Biden and his idiot Border Czar unleashed on the citizens of the United States is coming to an end.
La Verdad es La Verdad
January 17, 2025 at 8:57 am
Why do you insult all of us Latinos that are here LEGALLY? ¡Hijo de puta! Many of us are here legally and have nothing to worry about!
Peachy
January 17, 2025 at 8:31 am
Give me DeSantis everyday over that moron out in Kalifornia. Keep up the great work Governor.
TruthBTold
January 17, 2025 at 8:58 am
Amen!