A statewide poll released Wednesday indicates that Gov. Charlie Crist can pretty much have his choice of jobs — four more years in the Governor’s Mansion or six in the U.S. Senate — in next year’s elections.
The Quinnipiac University Poll said Florida voters would prefer that he run for governor. But his 67-percent approval rating, compared to just 22 percent disapproval, indicates that Crist would have a big advantage if he decides to run for the Washington job of retiring U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez.
In North Florida, Crist’s job rating was less, with 61 percent from the region approving of his performance.
Crist isn’t tipping his political hand. He’s consistently said only that he’s “focused on Florida” for now, and will decide after the legislative session — which ends in May — what he’ll do next year.
The Quinnipiac poll said even Democrats give Crist a 3-1 positive rating, with 66 percent approving and 22 percent disapproving of the job he’s doing as governor.
If the governor doesn’t run, southwest Florida Congressman Connie Mack of Fort Myers is the best-known Republican contender — but Quinnipiac said that might be due to his father’s name identity. The senior Mack was a congressman and a 12-year U.S. Senator before stepping down in 2000.
No Republicans have formally announced a run for the Senate. There was no clear frontrunner among Democrats in the poll, but Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio — who’s said only that she’s considering a run — registered some positive name ID.
By a margin of 41 to 22 percent, voters said they would prefer that Crist run for re-election, rather than the Senate.
Source: tallahassee.com
