Much-beleaguered Republican Congresswoman Katherine Harris remains the prohibitive favorite to become her party's candidate for U.S. Senate on September 5.

But Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, now leading 57% to 34% (see crosstabs), also remains the prohibitive favorite to win reelection in November. His lead has been as high as twenty-eight percentage points, so Harris can perhaps claim that she is narrowing the gap a bit.

But not really. Early in the year, the Rasmussen Reports three-poll rolling average of showed Nelson with an eighteen-point advantage, which widened to twenty and then twenty-six points. Harris's recent flurry of ads depicting herself as a fighter and Nelson as a do-nothing liberal may have persuaded some voters that she is not as tenuously-hinged as depicted in many campaign stories. But she has yet to make any real dent in Nelson's prospects or win more than 35% support herself.

Indeed, Harris wins only 60% of even GOP voters in the current match-up with Nelson; Nelson lures 35%.

In our Senate Balance of Power summary, Florida remains safely in the Democratic column.

Florida’s Governor’s race is much more competitive.

Most Florida voters have an unfavorable opinion of Harris who is viewed favorably by a lackluster 37% of all voters. These figures include 14% who view her "very favorably" by 14% and 36% who have a "very unfavorable" opinion of the candidate. %. Even 21% of GOP voters regard her in a very unfavorable light along with 51% of Democrats.

Nelson is fairly popular among all groups, and manages a 25% "very favorable" rating with voters as a whole. But he does not enjoy the huge favorables garnered by the country's best-liked Senators and Governors. His strongest asset is the low esteem being accorded to his likely opponent.

The performance of the state's outgoing chief executive, Republican Governor Jeb Bush, is approved by 64% of all voters, and 38% "strongly approve." Only 41% approve of the job his brother George W. Bush is doing as President; only 13% "strongly approve." Forty percent (40%) "strongly disapprove."

Crosstabs are available to Premium Members.