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Politics

Rick Scott Takes Double-Digit Lead Over Bill Nelson in 2018 Poll

December 1, 2017 - 4:45pm
Rick Scott and Bill Nelson
Rick Scott and Bill Nelson

With 2018 -- and a potential bid for the U.S. Senate -- right around the corner, new poll results should give Gov. Rick Scott a reason to smile.

On Friday, Saint Leo University Polling Institute released a survey which found the two-term Florida governor growing in popularity, and Scott is leading his potential Democratic Senate opponent Bill Nelson ahead of next year.

The most recent numbers of the online-only poll show Scott with a double-digit lead over Nelson, taking 41.8 percent to Nelson’s 31.6 percent.

That figure is a significant jump over the last nine months -- Scott was behind Nelson by four points in March

When it came to how voters viewed Scott, over two-thirds -- nearly 61 percent -- said they viewed the governor either somewhat favorably or very favorably, an increase from 55 percent who said the same in March this year.

Nelson and Scott’s potential matchup numbers look less and less rosy for Nelson, who nearly 39 percent of likely voters supported in March. That number has continued to drop, while Scott’s has steadily climbed. 

“We’re still almost a year out from the 2018 elections, but Rick Scott is in the best position he’s been in yet against incumbent Bill Nelson,” said Frank Orlando, director of the polling institute and a political scientist who teaches at the university. “It will be interesting to see if he can maintain this support while his party is hurting electorally throughout the country.”

Saint Leo attributed Scott’s growing support in part due to his high profile appearances around the state during this year’s hurricane season, which was particularly active for Florida. 

“Rick Scott has enjoyed consistently strong approval ratings during 2017, and he certainly received a small bump for the way he handled a difficult hurricane season for the state of Florida,” Orlando said. 

The economy, too, could have been a factor in the boom in Scott’s approval rate as well.

“As the state’s economy continues to grow, his overall approval comes as no surprise,” Orlando continued.
 
Scott hasn’t declared he’s running for the Senate yet, but both Republicans and Democrats expect him to jump in the race for Washington. 

If the latest polls are any indicator, the race will be undeniably close. National Democrats have been ramping up their efforts against Scott, who has already spent millions of dollars on advertising well before he has even entered the race.

The poll's methodology is slightly unusual, however, as the survey was conducted entirely online and during the Thanksgiving holiday. Respondents were also promised a "token incentive" of $1 towards Amazon or iTunes for their participation in the survey. 

The survey of 500 voters was conducted Nov. 19-24 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent with a confidence level of 95 percent. 

 

 

Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen

 

READ MORE FROM SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
 
 

Comments

wait for the indictments to drop now that Flynn has turned, it will change faster than the sheep running to Fox News...lol

Nice! Can we please get rid of that dufus Nelson this year???? GO SCOTT!! He was never supposed to be Governor according to the RPOF, served two successful terms and now let's see him and Judge Moore go up to that toilet in DC and shake the slimy SENATE to it's core"!!!!

Highl flawed poll..bogus at best

Way to go, Gov Scott! Now, Can we get some Republican candidates to find the courage to try to change local government in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties from Blue to Red? PLEASE! We need to drain the swamp so badly in these South Florida Counties to take full advantage of the growing economy that is bound to occur next year in Florida. The increase in my IRAs is already making me feel more comfortable and able to spend more, helping to create local jobs, etc. It is all good. The Left won't be able to bash our President much longer in view of the facts that will be evident to everyone. Surviving for the last 70 years, I've experienced growth and decline cycles in our country. It is evident to me that the Dems get into power and screw everything up until the Free Market Republicans take the power away from them and work to fix what the Dems have destroyed. With the additional advantage of having a businessman in the White House we should be prepared to experience an economy that many younger people have never seen. More people working means more tax revenue is available for effective social programs to help lift people out of poverty into better paying jobs. Common sense, right?

Imagine that. A non-politician with a CEO background showing great leadership while sowing the seeds of economic vitality for the state. Sound familiar? Adding Scott to the Senate ranks will help ensure the economy continues to grow. As an Independent nearing retirement, I am a believer that party hacks need to be part of the swamp still needing to be drained at the ballot box come next year's mid-terms.

I pray that SCott will run to give us a viable choice. He would have my vote.

Notice you all love criminals.

Hoorah.Gov.Scott.........Billy nelson aka Space Shuttle sellout.with Opiebama...you Reap what you Sew....Your Weed smoker legalize aka medical weed Ambulance chaser just Bailed on your Party Billy....I here in Orange County Johnny running for Dog Catcher or is that Dog poop clean up ....ha

You need spelling lessons. Your false accusation is up side down. Advise reread before you submit. Seek facts before accusing. Seek RESEARCH before accusation. Learn. Scott like the rest are composer liars and criminal.

Hey, this is great news! Way to go Governor Scott, keep up the great work for the Sunshine State. Also, thank you Dr. Ben Carson, Federal Family, and HUD for helping Florida heal from the Great Hurricane Irma that struck Florida by sending $600 million to help Floridians and negate a deficit from that nasty storm that harrassed our state.

GO TRUMP!!! He's still the better man of any of the Democrats, unless anyone prefers sexual misconduct by their elected representatives.

"Rocket-Man" in Congress is not doing much better in "popularity polls" than "Rocket-Man" in North Korea... "Empty suits" are a "dime a dozen" nowadays it seems...

"...The poll's methodology is slightly unusual, however, as the survey was conducted entirely online and during the Thanksgiving holiday. Respondents were also promised a "token incentive" of $1 towards Amazon or iTunes for their participation in the survey." Have some candy for you, as well.

I wouldnt be so quick. The trump effect will bring out ALOT of voters in 2018 to vote against all the republicans

Quite the contrary, Trump will have a very positive effect on the election. It will help Scott. Only the Blind supporters of Hillary do not see all the positive effects that Trump is having on our economy and on our country. Sorry, Kathy, but to paraphrase the Bible, "you are blind because you chokse to be blind".

Quite the contrary, Trump will have a very positive effect on the election. It will help Scott. Only the Blind supporters of Hillary do not see all the positive effects that Trump is having on our economy and on our country. Sorry, Kathy, but to paraphrase the Bible, "you are blind because you chokse to be blind".

And....another 'blinded' voter!

Got the "big end" of the Thanksgiving Turkey "wishbone" THIS year eh, "Kathy"? (shouldn't have wasted it ! )

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