For the first time since Democratic-leaning independent candidate Bud Chiles dropped out of Florida’s gubernatorial race, Republican and former hospital executive Rick Scott finds himself atop a general election poll. A Reuters/Ipsos poll out today finds Scott leading state Chief Financial Officer and Democratic nominee Alex Sink, 47%-45%.
There is no previous Reuters/Ipsos poll of the two-way race for direct comparison.
While the results fall within the poll’s ±4.6% margin of error, the findings nonetheless mark a shift in polling results. Last week, Republican-leaning polling firm Susquehanna released a poll that suggested Scott was gaining ground on the Democratic nominee. That poll had Scott behind 44%-42%. A CNN/Time poll released earlier in the week had produced a more comfortable seven-point lead for Sink. Polling conducted prior to Chiles’ dropout showed the Democratic nominee maintaining a healthy lead in the gubernatorial fight.
The TPM Poll Average for the contest still has Sink on top of Scott, 46.5%-43.0%. For more on the race, check out TPMDC’s full coverage here.
