Democrat Andrew Gillum has a nine point lead in the race for Florida’s governorship, according to a new Quinnipiac poll.
The latest survey shows Gillum outpacing Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis 54 percent to 45 percent.
Gillum is winning big among women, with a 20-point lead, and carrying independents by 14 percent.
The poll finds voters view DeSantis unfavorably. Quinnipiac pollster Peter Brown notes Gillum’s biggest asset is that “voters just like him better.”
Quinnipiac also found Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson leading in the race for Senate against Governor Rick Scott.
Brown notes it’s hard to know who’s carrying who, but says “Mr. Gillum is obviously riding some momentum. And if [Nelson] certainly were to win by the size he’s ahead by now, it would be hard not to credit Mr. Gillum for helping. If he remains up this many points – nine points.”
This is the ninth poll showing Gillum ahead, but the first outside the margin of error.
Though accuracy has been an issue in recent elections, Quinnipiac has correctly called 85 percent of previous races it’s polled. The website FiveThirtyEight.com gives the pollster an 'A-' ranking.
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