A Quinnipiac University poll released Monday finds former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts with a solid lead in Florida over the rest of the pack running for the Republican presidential nomination.
Romney leads the field with 36 percent of likely Republican primary voters while former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich places second with 24 percent. Following his strong showing in the Iowa caucus, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania stands third with 16 percent followed by U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas with 10 percent. Gov. Rick Perry of Texas takes 5 percent while former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah garners 2 percent.
Florida votes on Jan. 31 -- after New Hampshire has its say on Tuesday and South Carolina on Jan. 21.
"Governor Mitt Romney has a double-digit lead in Florida among likely primary voters, said Peter Brown, the assistant director of theQuinnipiac University Polling Institute. But the primary is three weeks away and the results from New Hampshire and South Carolina could shake things up in the Sunshine State.
Brown pointed out that a majority of those surveyed -- 54 percent -- said they were open to changing their minds and backing another candidate.
"With more than half of voters saying they might change their minds and more than 50 percent of them backing candidates perceived as more conservative, Romney could be vulnerable if those voters settle on one candidate, Brown said.
The poll found the tea party movement is divided in the Sunshine State. Romney and Gingrich each take 32 percent among tea party members while Santorum takes 19 percent, Paul 7 percent and Perry 4 percent.
Romney is seen as the most favorable candidate, with 73 percent seeing him in a favorable light while 14 percent see him as unfavorable. Santorum is seen as favorable by 59 percent while 8 percent see him as unfavorable. Gingrich is also seen as favorable by 59 percent but 29 percent see him as unfavorable. Paul is upside down in the Sunshine State with only 34 percent of those surveyed seeing him as favorable while 47 percent see him unfavorably.
The poll of 560 likely Florida Republican primary voters was taken Jan. 4-8 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
