A new poll shows former Gov. Jeb Bush, runs better in Florida against former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton than he does against Donald Trump in Florida, the largest swing state on the map, but the celebrity businessman leads the Republican primary.
The Florida Chamber Political Institute (FCPI) released a poll of likely voters Tuesday which showed Clinton, the favorite for the Democratic nod, edging Trump who leads the polls on the GOP side. Clinton takes 42 percent with Trump right behind her at 41 percent. Bush does far better in the poll, beating Clinton 48 percent to 37 percent. If Trump runs as an independent, Clinton leads the state with 35 percent while Bush pulls 32 percent and Trump takes 21 percent.
Clinton is upside down in the poll with a majority -- 57 percent -- seeing her in an unfavorable light while 37 percent view her favorably. Trump is also under water with 35 percent viewing him favorably while 53 percent see him unfavorably. Bush is seen as favorable by 48 percent and unfavorable by 39 percent.
Trump continues to lead the Republican primary with 25 percent while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., edges Bush for second with 14 percent. Bush takes 13 percent followed by businesswoman Carly Fiorina with 11 percent, Dr. Ben Carson with 9 percent and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, with 6 percent.
With more than five months to go until the primaries, Marian Johnson, the senior vice president for political strategies for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, noted a good deal could change.
"In 1980 when I was serving as a director on Ronald Reagan’s Florida presidential team, and the race was between Reagan, George Bush, John Connally and others, Reagan wasn’t the front runner, yet he ultimately was elected president,” Johnson said.
“We’re more than five months away from the primary, and the front runner today very well may not be the front runner in March 2016,” said Andrew Wiggins, the senior director of campaigns and elections for the Florida Chamber.
The poll of 605 likely Florida voters was taken from Sept. 16-Sept. 20 and had a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
