Poll Shows Crist and Conservative Challenger Tied in Florida Senate Race

2 years ago

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If a new Rasmussen Reports poll is correct, the conservative challenge to establishment Republicans is bearing fruit in Florida where former state House Speaker Marco Rubio has drawn even with Gov. Charlie Crist in the race to fill the seat of former GOP Sen. Mel Martinez who resigned in August.

Rasmussen says Rubio and Crist are now tied at 43 percent each with 5 percent preferring someone else and 9 percent undecided in a poll conducted Dec. 14.

Crist is still seen favorably by 61 percent of likely Republican primary voters and 56 percent approve of the job he is doing as governor. But the percentage who see Rubio favorably is now 64 percent even though there are still 21 percent who don't know enough about him to be sure of their opinion.

"The fact that Crist has fallen below 50% in a primary against a lesser known opponent suggests potential vulnerability," according to the pollster.

Crist has been the target of television ads showing him hugging President Obama when he was in Florida to campaign for his economic stimulus package. Rubio is being backed by South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint's Senate Conservatives Fund.

Filed Under: Republicans, Primaries, Polls, Poll Watch, 2010 Elections, Conservatives

Tagged: charlie crist, CharlieCrist, dailyguidance, marco rubio, MarcoRubio

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