Rick Scott Gains Ground on Charlie Crist in New Poll

A poll from St. Leo University released on Wednesday shows former Gov. Charlie Crists lead over Gov. Rick Scott shrinking. Back in December, a St. Leo poll had Crist with 46 percent while Scott took 34 percent. The new poll has Crist with 43 percent while Scott takes 39 percent. Scott does much better when matched against former state Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich. The Republican takes 40 percent while Rich garners 32 percent.

Our polling shows good news for Gov. Scott, as hes been able to take a sizable chunk out of Charlie Crists lead, said Frank Orlando, a political science instructor at St. Leo University. Gov. Scott has shored up some Republican voters, but hes also doing about as well among independents and members of the opposing party as Mr. Crist. This is surprising, considering the fact that Crist, a former Republican, was expected to do well among Republicans and independents.

Scott is above water in the poll, with 48 percent seeing him as favorable and 47 percent as unfavorable. But Scott is upside down when it comes to his performance, with 45 percent approving of him and 47 percent disapproving of him.

The poll of 500 Florida adults, including 401 likely voters, was taken from March 16-19 and had a margin of error of +/- 5 percent.