Both Florida Republicans running for president are tied for first among registered voters in their party, according to a new poll of the Sunshine State from Quinnipiac.
Jeb Bush, the former two-term governor of Florida, leads the field of presidential candidates among registered Republicans with 20 percent support, while Bush’s political protege, U.S. senator Marco Rubio, is a close second with 18 percent support. The next closest contenders in Florida are Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, at nine percent, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, at seven percent.
The high regard both Bush and Rubio have among Florida Republicans is evidenced by the poll’s next question, asking which candidates are a voter’s second choice. Twenty-one percent choose Rubio and 16 percent choose Bush, with the remainder of the field earning single-digit support as a second choice. Rubio has a slightly better favorability rating among Florida Republicans, with 75 percent saying they have a favorable opinion of the first-term senator and 9 percent saying they have an unfavorable rating. Bush’s ratings aren’t much different, with a 69 percent/18 percent favorable/unfavorable rating.
When combining precentages for first and second choice, it becomes even clearer the race in Florida is currently between its two favorite sons, with Bush receiving a combined 33 percent and Rubio a combined 36 percent. Walker, meanwhile earns a combined 15 percent, Carson a combined 11 percent, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee a combined 10 percent. The 2016 Florida primary is scheduled for March 15.
Quinnipiac’s poll finds a more open Republican race in two other swing states. In Ohio, governor John Kasich (who is reportedly considering a run for president) holds a favorite son status with 19 percent support from registered Republicans in that state. The other candidates poll in the single digits, with Bush leading the non-Kasich candidates with nine percent support. The Buckeye State will hold its primary on March 15 as well.
And in Pennsylvania there’s even more parity in the field, despite having the state’s former senator Rick Santorum in the mix. Rubio leads there with 12 percent support, with Kentucky senator Rand Paul close behind with 11 percent. Bush and Carson have 10 percent support in the Keystone State. The rest of the field polls in single digits, including Santorum at seven percent. Pennsylvania’s primary will be April 26.
