Things aren’t looking too bright for Sen. Marco Rubio in his home state of Florida, where recent polls show him trailing by double-digit spreads.
A new Mason-Dixon Polling & Research survey finds that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has pulled way ahead of Rubio in support among Sunshine State-registered Republicans,
according to Politico.
Bush stands in first place with a 28 percent to 16 percent lead against Rubio, who three months ago led Bush 31 percent to 30 percent in the same poll.
The April poll was conducted just after Rubio officially entered the race, something that typically contributes to a short-term bump in polling numbers.
Rubio’s 15 percentage point dip also coincides with the rise of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who is currently in third place in Florida, with 13 percent support, up from 11 percent in April. Outspoken New York billionaire Donald Trump placed fourth with 11 percent.
According to Mason-Dixon pollster Brad Coker, "this is the first Florida poll taken entirely since Trump’s remarks regarding John McCain’s Vietnam War service. His 11 percent showing in Florida is far below his support in recent national polls. This could be the result of the home state advantage of both Bush and Rubio.
"However, the fact that Walker has slipped ahead of him may be a stronger sign that his candidacy is fading. Furthermore, there is a clear ceiling that Trump has among Florida Republicans. When asked if they are considering a vote for Trump, a large majority (58 percent) said they were not. Only 27 percent gave an indication that Trump was under their serious consideration."
A Bendixen & Amandi International poll of Republican voters in Miami-Dade County — home to both Rubio and Bush — has Bush leading Rubio 35 percent to 25 percent.
"Here’s what’s really shocking: Bush is leading Rubio 43 percent to 31 percent among Cuban-American Republicans in Miami-Dade," pollster Fernand Amandi told Politico "Marco is Cuban-American. Jeb isn’t. That’s a real serious problem for Rubio."
In the last Mason-Dixon poll, according to Politico, Rubio held a 40 percent to 20 percent lead over Bush among Hispanic voters.
Since announcing his intention to run, Bush has come out strong, visiting early primary states including New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina, and
according to The Miami Herald, his Right to Rise Super PAC has already aired its first online ad targeting voters in New Hampshire and Iowa, which hold two of the country’s earliest primaries.
Bush is also besting Rubio when it comes to fundraising on their home turf.
Bush raised $2.6 million in campaign contributions in Florida last quarter compared with Rubio’s $1.9 million, according to Politico.
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