According to Saint Leo University Polling Institute, Crist Leads Scott, 43-39, But Gap Closing

SAINT LEO, Fla., March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Governor Charlie Crist narrowly leads incumbent Governor Rick Scott in the governor's race by 43-39 – a result within the margin of error – but Scott is closing the gap since December, according to a new state poll by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute.

In a December Saint Leo University poll, Crist led Scott, 46-34, or by 12 points. The new poll shows an 8-point swing in Scott's direction, though the incumbent Republican still trails Crist.

"Governor Scott has shored up some Republican voters, but he's also doing about as well among independents and members of the opposing party as Mr. Crist. This is surprising, considering the fact that Crist, a former Republican, was expected to do well among Republicans and independents, said Frank Orlando, political science instructor at Saint Leo University."

Scott's overall favorability rating is 48 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable. Scott's approval rating among Republicans is 79/18 – up a net of 22 points since the December poll.

In other Florida results, Senator Bill Nelson's approval rating stands at 50/33 (+17), his favorability rating is 49/37 (+12), and his re-elect rating is at 40 percent.

Senator Marco Rubio's approval rating is 50/40 (+10), his favorability rating is 50/41 (+9), and his re-elect rating is 46 percent.

On policy issues, a majority of voters, 52 percent, say that knowing a member of Congress had voted for the Affordable Care Act would make them less likely to vote for that person. Twenty- nine percent said they would be more likely to vote for such a member of Congress.

On immigration, a majority of Florida voters support a path to legal status for illegal or undocumented immigrants, but a strong minority opposes allowing this population to remain in the United States under any conditions.

• 61 percent support a path to legal status under certain conditions
• 29 percent think this population should not be allowed to remain in the U.S.
• 9 percent support allowing this population to stay and to apply for citizenship

"Florida Republicans are more likely than our national sample of Republicans to support a path to legal status. Fifty-five percent of Florida Republicans support a path to legal status while 37 percent think this population should not be allowed to stay in the United States. Nationally, the numbers are nearly reversed (39 percent support a path to legal status, while 54 percent say this population should not be allowed to remain in the United States," said Saint Leo political scientist Orlando.

The Florida legislature is currently considering a bill that would allow undocumented students to attend Florida public colleges at in-state tuition rates. Voters are split on this idea, with 32 percent saying they should be charged in-state rates, 36 percent saying out-of state rates, and 19 percent saying undocumented persons should not be allowed to attend state colleges at all.

On marijuana legalization, 30 percent say marijuana should be legal; 45 percent say it should be legal for only approved medical purposes; and 19 percent say marijuana should not be legal.

Florida voters support raising the minimum wage by a 3-to-1 margin 73 percent, while 24 percent oppose raising the minimum wage.

The data is derived from a poll of 500 Florida adult residents conducted by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute between March 16 and 19, 2014 and includes 401 likely voters. The margin of error is approximately five percent +/- with a 95 percent confidence level.

SOURCE Saint Leo University Polling Institute