The latest Florida Chamber of Commerce statewide poll finds former President Donald Trump and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) leading their likely Democratic opponents. Trump and Scott each lead their opponents among Hispanics, White voters, and older voters.
The Florida Chamber’s poll also finds Governor Ron DeSantis retaining strong approval amongst Floridians, with 56% of Floridians giving the Governor a favorable review of his job performance as Florida’s chief executive.
The Florida Chamber’s poll shows that if the election for President of the United States were held today in Florida, former Trump would lead Biden by a nine-point margin, 51-42%. Trump’s lead over Biden comes in part from holding greater support within his own party compared to Biden, with 89% of Republicans supporting Donald Trump compared to just 79% of Democrats indicating they would vote for Joe Biden. Trump also holds a sizable lead among Hispanic voters in Florida, with 58% of this key demographic compared to 31% of Hispanics who would vote for President Biden.
The potential inclusion of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. does not appear to impact Trump’s lead in Florida. While Kennedy would currently win 10% of the vote in Florida according to the Florida Chamber’s poll, this support comes evenly from both main party candidates as Donald Trump retains a nine-point advantage over Joe Biden in a three-way ballot 46-37%.
In the race for US Senate in Florida, the Florida Chamber’s poll finds incumbent Senator Rick Scott starting with a double-digit lead over his likely Democratic opponent, former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Scott earns the support of 54% of Floridians polled for his re-election bid, compared to 39% support for Mucarsel-Powell. Similar to the presidential election, Scott’s lead is built by maintaining strong support from his party and from Hispanic voters. 93 percent of Republicans and 66 percent of Hispanics support Scott head-to-head vs Mucarsel-Powell.
The Florida Chamber’s poll shows more than half (53%) of Florida voters hold a favorable view of the job Donald Trump did as President, while more than 6 out of 10 (63%) Floridians disapprove of Joe Biden’s current performance as President. More than three-fourths (76%) of Florida Hispanics disapprove of President Biden’s current administration, while almost 6 out of 10 (59%) view the job Donald Trump did while President favorably.
Compounding President Biden’s unpopularity, more than 6 out of 10 (63%) of Florida voters have an unfavorable view of President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict. Even more (84%) of Republicans have an unfavorable view of President Biden’s handling of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict, as well as 58% of NPAs and 77% of Hispanics.
Recreational Marijuana Legalization Continues to Be Short of the 60% Requirement
The Florida Chamber’s poll also found fewer than 6 out of 10 (58%) of Florida voters support legalizing recreational marijuana, the third consecutive poll from the Florida Chamber indicating this amendment remains short of the 60% threshold required for passage. Looking at all six proposed amendments to Florida’s Constitution on the November 2024 ballot, the Florida Chamber finds most of these amendments currently fail to reach the 60% mark required for passage.
Top Issues Facing Florida
- Illegal Immigration – 16%
- Property Insurance – 14%
- Job Creation & the Economy – 10%
- Education – 8%
- Abortion Issues – 7%
Top Issues by Demographic
- Female Voters Top Issue is Illegal Immigration
- Male Voters Top Issue is Property Insurance
- Republicans Top Issue is Illegal Immigration
- Democrats Top Issue is Property Insurance
- NPAs Top Issue is Property Insurance
- Hispanics Top Issue is Job Creation/Economy as well as Property Insurance
