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Florida Governor: Crist (R) Lead Widens
Crist 49% (R), Davis (D) 35%
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Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist has opened a double digit lead in the race to succeed Governor Jeb Bush, leading Democratic Congressman Jim Davis 49% to 35% in our latest survey. In May, Crist led Davis 44% to 39%.

Both men are front-runners in their primary contests, which will be decided on September 5.

Crist recently picked up an endorsement from Republican Senator Mel Martinez, the first Cuban-American elected to the U.S. Senate. The Crist campaign hopes will help him pick up primary votes among Hispanics.

Republican Tom Gallagher also leads Davis, although by the narrower margin of 43% to 39%. Democrat Rod Smith, for his part, trails Gallagher by eight points, Crist by ten points.

The race for Governor remains far more competitive than the Senate campaign. Senator Bill Nelson continues to dominate Republican Katherine Harris in that match-up.

Crist is viewed favorably by 62%, Gallagher by 56%, Davis by 44%, Smith by 41%.

Crist is the best-known of the candidates, with only 13% telling us they're "not sure" what to think of him. Eighteen percent (18%) are "not sure" of Gallagher. For the Democrats, the numbers are 29% for Davis, 28% for Smith.

By a narrow margin, Florida prefers to see a Democrat rather than a Republican President elected in 2008, at least when no names are mentioned. But, following a trend we've seen in other states, they tend to view specific Republicans more favorably than Democrats when considering a small group of likely presidential candidates.

Of the four—Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Al Gore—former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is most popular among Florida voters, with 70% viewing him favorably, 42% "very" favorably.

Hillary watchers will be especially interested in how she fared against John McCain when we asked voters about prospective match-ups.

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Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.

The Rasmussen Reports Election Edge™ Premium Service offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage available anywhere.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.

Survey of 500 Likely Voters
June 22, 2006

Election 2006: Florida Governor

Charlie Crist (R)

49%

Jim Davis (D)

35%

Election 2006: Florida Governor

Tom Gallagher (R)

43%

Jim Davis (D)

39%

Election 2006: Florida Governor

Charlie Crist (R)

46%

Rod Smith (D)

36%

Election 2006: Florida Governor

Tom Gallagher (R)

44%

Rod Smith (D)

36%

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