An early look at the 2016 presidential race finds Florida voters favoring former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a match up with former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, according to a Quinnipiac University released Friday.
Clinton leads Bush 49-43 percent and tops Rubio 51-41 percent in a survey of about 1,600 registered voters.
“Among Florida favorite sons, former Gov. Jeb Bush runs stronger than does Sen. Marco Rubio, although GOP voters are widely split on their presidential choices,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Her lead over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, another possible GOP presidential contender, has widened to 51-35 percent compared to a 45-41 percent Clinton edge in a November 22 survey.
“‘Bridgegate’ is having a negative effect on his presidential fortunes in Florida. Since Florida is the nation’s largest swing state, and one of the early primary states, the numbers are not good news for the New Jersey governor as he tries to weather the storm from the controversy,” Brown added.
The poll also found President Barack Obama gets a negative 42 – 53 percent job approval rating, compared to a negative 40 – 57 percent score in a November 22 survey.
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