While the electorate is beginning to tune in to the 2012 Elections, some politico’s in Florida have already been considering some 2014 if’s. For over a year in Florida, there has been intrigue in who would be best democrat nominee to challenge incumbent Governor Rick Scott.

While most have consider Alex Sink making a repeat run, the most recent name being discussed around the table has been former Republican Governor Charlie Crist – as a Democrat. This of course assumes he gets out of a primary, which today former state Senator Nan Rich has announced her ambitions.

So cutting to the chase, a statewide poll was fielded (May 23-25) and one of the match-ups was:
Supposing for a moment that the election for governor of Florida was held today and the candidates were…. Rick Scott, running as the Republican…. and Charlie Crist, running as the Democrat candidate… which one would you vote for?

Rick Scott 34.1%
Charlie Crist 48.1%
Other 5.0%
Don’t Know/Refused 12.8%

To break the numbers down, obviously Republicans stick with Gov. Scott at 60.3% and garnering only 21.6 of the unaffiliated voters. The pop factor is that Gov. Charlie Crist grabs 74.2% of the Democrat vote and 52.2% of the unaffiliated voters.

A few other breakdowns of interest:
African-Americans – 88.1% support Crist
White’s – 43.4% Crist, 39.4% Scott
Hispanic – 37.9% Scott, 35.3 Crist, while 23% stated Do Not Know.

Gender: Crist leads Men 45% to Scott’s 39%. Women 51% support Crist to Scott’s 30%.

As for Age breakdowns, Crist led all categories: 18-29: 52% to 27%; 30-44: 44% to 38%; 45-59: 55% to 28%; 60+: 45% to 38%

The information above was polled of likely registered Florida voters between May 23-25, 2012 of 802 respondents and a margin of error of +/- 3.46% by Florida Opinion Research. To learn more about Florida Opinion Research visit www.floridaomnibussurvey.com

Article written by Wayne Bertsch wayne@wayneoh.com