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New Poll Shows Crist's Lead Evaporating, Medical Marijuana Support Still Strong

New polling shows Republican Florida Governor Rick Scott has all but erased a 12 point deficit against former Governor Charlie Crist.The latest numbers from Public Policy Polling has the former Republican turned Democrat only two-points ahead of the incumbent.

The latest numbers put Crist ahead of Scott 43 points to 41. The change comes mostly from a decline in Crist’s favorability numbers as the GOP begins to rally around Scott.

Public Policy Polling Director Tom Jensen said the GOP’s assault on Crist the past few months is beginning to take a toll.

"We now find that only 36 percent of voters in the state have a favorable opinion of (Crist)," he said.

"Forty-six percent see him unfavorably, and just three months ago he was breaking even, so Scott is not getting any more popular, but where the Republicans are having success is they are making Crist unpopular too, and this is really sort of setting up as a choice for Florida voters between two candidates they don't particularly like.”

There is also strong support for a ballot measure that would legalize medical marijuana.

Sixty-five percent of those polled say they support the idea while only 23 percent oppose the measure.

Supporters say they should have enough signatures to place the medical marijuana initiative on the November ballot.

You can follow Kevin Meerschaert on Twitter @KMeerschaertJax.

Kevin Meerschaert has left WJCT for new pursuits. He was the producer of First Coast Connect until October of 2018.