A just released Quinnipiac University poll finds that Democratic Alex Sink, in the race for Florida governor, leads Republican Rick Scott 45 percent to 41 percent. Another 11 percent are undecided and 9 percent of those who name a candidate say they might change their mind in this final week before Election day.
“Although the governor’s race remains very close, CFO Alex Sink has had a good week,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “But with one in eight voters still in play and Scott’s supporters slightly more solid in support, this race looks like it will go to the finish line as a dead heat.
The poll shows that Sink gets 16 percent of Republicans, 85 percent of Democrats and 42 percent of independent voters. Scott wins 74 percent of Republicans, 8 percent of Democrats and 37 percent of independents.
Sink gets 44 percent of men and 46 percent of women. Scott wins 45 percent of men and 38 percent of women.
“Given that Sink would become Florida’s first female governor, the lack of a larger gender gap is perhaps surprising,” said Brown. “She has some momentum, but anything can happen in the final days before Election Day.”
Also in Sink’s favor is that she is viewed more positively by the likely electorate. Among likely voters she is seen favorably by 43 percent and unfavorably by 39 percent, while Scott is viewed favorably by 34 percent and unfavorably by 50 percent.
“The relatively wide gap between Scott’s unfavorable rating and his support in the horse race against Ms. Sink is unusual and probably reflects the Republican leaning of the electorate,” said Brown.
The poll was conducted during October 18 – 24, before Sink’s Monday night gaffe in the final debate, where she looked at a text message sent by a staffer, violating the debate rules.
Quinnipiac University surveyed 784 Florida likely voters and the poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.
