Bill Nelson Leads GOP Challengers in Rasmussen Poll

A poll unveiled by Rasmussen Reports on Friday finds that U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has solid leads over the three leading Republicans looking to defeat him in November, though the Democrat incumbent does not break 50 percent against any of the GOP hopefuls.

Nelson takes 47 percent against Congressman Connie Mack, whose father held the seat for two terms, who follows with 36 percent. Mack does the best against Nelson in the poll of likely voters. Against former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, Nelson pulls 44 percent while the Republican follows with 30 percent. Nelson does best when matched up against businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister. In that scenario, Nelson gets 48 percent while McCalister garners 29 percent.

Helping Nelsons numbers is his appeal to Republicans. The poll finds that one in five Republicans surveyed backs the Democrat.

The poll of 500 likely Florida voters was taken on April 25 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent.