In the attorney generals race, the Florida Chamber of Commerce-affiliated poll shows Bondi with a commanding lead over former DCF Secretary George Sheldon, the Democratic nominee who served as deputy attorney general under then-Attorney General Bob Butterworth. Sheldon won the Democratic primary last month over Florida House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale.
In the new poll, Bondi takes 48 percent to Sheldon's 31 percent. Tallahassee attorney Bill Wohlsifer, the Libertarian nominee in the race, was not included in the poll.
Atwater also holds a commanding lead in the poll. Matched against businessman William Rankin, the Democratic nominee, Atwater takes 43 percent. Rankin trails behind with 27 percent support.
In the agriculture commissioner race, Putnam faces Democrat Thad Hamilton who served on the Broward County Soil and Water Commission. Putnam takes 41 percent while Hamilton follows with 29 percent.
Despite carrying Florida in both the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, President Barack Obama is underwater in the Sunshine State according to the poll. A majority -- 54 percent -- disapprove of his job in the White House while 41 percent approve of it.
The poll of 813 likely voters was taken Sept. 18-21 and had a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
