Rick Scott continues to lead in all polls leading up to the Florida Senate elections, but the latest surveys show his advantage over former Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell has dwindled with less than a month to go before heading to the polls.
Conducted by the Marist College, the two separate studies took place between October 3 and 7, interviewing registered and likely voters separately. The former surveyed 1,410 people and showed Scott with 50% of the support, compared to Mucarsel-Powell's 48%.
It is a large departure from the previous study, where the Republican held a nine-point lead in studies among registered and likely voters alike. When interviewing 622 likely voters, Scott led by 49% to 40%, while the registered voters one yielded a 48%-39% result.
Regardless of the latest results, the Cook Political Report, a key nonpartisan forecaster, still considers the race a "likely Republican" one. At the presidential level, former President Donald Trump holds a 4.8 point-lead over Vice President Kamala Harris.
Democrats in Florida face an uphill battle undoing a strengthened GOP hold in the state in recent years, particularly in an election where former President Trump is expected to add to GOP turnout in the state. Nevertheless, they are still confident they can win certain races ahead of November.
In fact, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has decided to include Florida as one of ten battleground states which will get a $25 million investment into direct voter outreach programs along with Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
The DSCC's strategy includes on-the-ground organizing, phone banking, and online outreach, with particular emphasis on engaging young voters and people of color. The investment also includes hiring field organizers and conducting in-person events.
Axios reported that the party has often overlooked Florida in the past, but this year, "citing an anticipated boost in progressive interest due to referenda on marijuana and abortion rights, party leaders have been urging national Democrats to flip the script."
There are some indicators about the Democrat having a possibility to convince undecided voters or Republicans, considering an Axios report that shows Scott with a lower level of support than Donald Trump in the state: 46.3% to Trump's 49%. If the closest polls are accurate and she gets a boost during the next months, an upset could be within sight.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
