Sandy Adams' Poll Gives Her 'Terrific Shot' at Ousting John Mica in CD 7

A poll for Rep. Sandy Adams' campaign projects that she will "close the gap significantly" on Rep. John Mica in the months leading up to their August primary election.

Mica and Adams, both R-Orlando, have each declared for the newly drawn 7th Congressional District. Mica is a 20-year veteran of the House and chairman of the Transportation Committee. Adams is a freshman.

But Public Opinion Strategies, in a Feb. 22-23 survey, found that voters are receptive to Adams' background as a state representative and deputy sheriff in Orange County. Just 26 percent of likely GOP primary voters said they would "definitely" support Mica.

Though Mica holds a 64-17 lead over Adams in portions of the district he currently represents, new areas of CD 7 favor Adams 41-32, the poll reported.

"Bottom line: Sandy Adams has a terrific shot to defeat John Mica in a Republican primary if she has the necessary financial resources to compete," said pollsters Neil Newhouse and Robert Blizzard.

"As Republican primary voters learn more information about the two candidates in the months leading up to the August primary, Sandy will close this ballot gap significantly.

Alan Byrd, Mica's campaign spokesman, saw good news in the poll for the congressman.

"With a 94 percent name recognition and a 72 percent favorable rating, this poll shows that Congressman Mica is well respected in the Central Florida area and has served his constituents extremely well over his time in Congress," Byrd said.

The survey of 300 likely primary voters in CD 7 has a margin of error of +/- 5.6 percent.