Jeb Bush Leads 2016 GOP Field in Florida

Former Gov. Jeb Bush starts off the 2016 presidential contest as the favorite son of Florida Republicans.

A poll of Florida Republicans from Democratic-aligned Public Policy Polling shows Bush out front with 30 percent. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., places second with 14 percent while U.S. Sen Rand Paul, R-Ky., stands in third with 11 percent. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, garners 9 percent followed by Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., with 8 percent. Former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., and Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., are knotted together with 7 percent each. U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., takes 2 percent followed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La.., with 1 percent.

If the choice comes down to the two candidates from Florida, 45 percent of Republicans prefer Rubio while 41 percent prefer Bush. While 47 percent of Florida Republicans want Bush to run, 38 percent say he shouldnt. Florida Republicans are more divided on whether Rubio should enter the fray, with 42 percent saying he should run in 2016 while 41 percent say he should not.

The poll of 315 Florida Republicans was taken from June 6-9 and had a margin of error of +/- 5.5 percent.