Republican hopeful Rick Scott would have an easier time beating Democrat Alex Sink in an election for Florida governor than would his primary opponent, Attorney General Bill McCollum, the latest data suggest.
In a telephone survey of 750 likely voters, Scott received 35% of the vote, against Alex Sink's 31%. Independent candidate Lawton “Bud” Chiles drew 16% of votes, pulling in supporters from both parties.
When McCollum is offered as the Republican candidate against Sink and Chiles, he receives only 27% of the vote, compared to Sink and Chiles' respective 31% and 20% tallies.
As for Florida's other upcoming high-stakes election regarding its vacant U.S. Senate seat — between Republican Marco Rubio, Democrat Kendrick Meek and Independent Charlie Crist — Rasmussen says the data show that race to be a toss-up at this point.