Despite his four decades on the Florida political stage, Democrat incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is in for a tough fight as he seeks a third term in 2012, according to a poll released on Wednesday from Quinnipiac University.
When matched up against Republican hopeful U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, whose father held the Senate seat for two terms, Nelson takes 41 percent while the GOP congressman has 40 percent.
Nelson received solid -- but not spectacular -- marks from voters and did not break a majority of support in the poll. Forty-one percent of those surveyed see him as favorable, while 23 percent view Nelson as unfavorable. Forty-seven percent approve of Nelsons performance in the Senate, while 30 percent disapprove.
"Good but not great and voters say, 44 percent to 35 percent, he deserves another six years in the Senate, said Peter Brown, the assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, in a statement on Wednesday.
Mack remains mostly unknown, with 54 percent of those surveyed not knowing enough about him to view him as favorable or unfavorable. Thirty-two percent see Mack as favorable, while 13 percent view the congressman as unfavorable.
The poll finds that Mack has a solid lead in the Republican primary with 39 percent. His two closest competitors are former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister, who both garner 6 percent each. Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner takes 2 percent, while restaurant executive Craig Miller follows with 1 percent. Forty-two percent of the Republicans surveyed are undecided.
"Connie Mack remains far ahead of the GOP field and there has been little movement since he entered the race late last year, Brown said. With four out of 10 GOP primary voters still undecided, nothing is certain, but one would much rather be in Mack's shoes than any of the other GOP contenders.
The poll of 1,412 registered Florida voters was taken Jan. 4-8 and had a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
