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Florida Senate: Nelson (D) 48%, Mack (R) 43%

Following the candidates’ only face-to-face debate on Wednesday, incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson posts a five-point lead over Republican Connie Mack in Florida’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters shows Nelson with 48% support to Mack’s 43%. Two percent (2%) like another candidate, and seven percent (7%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

This race now Leans Democrat in the Rasmussen Reports Senate Balance of Power rankings. Nelson’s support has ranged from 47% to 52% in surveys since August, while Mack has earned 40% to 45% of the vote in that period.

Mitt Romney now leads President Obama by five points in Florida. 

Ninety-five percent (95%) of likely voters in the Sunshine State say they are certain to vote in the election. Among these voters, it’s Nelson 48%, Mack 44%.

Florida allows early voting, and among those who have already voted, Nelson has a 56% to 40% lead.

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on October 18, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Nelson, who is seeking a third six-year term in the Senate, is viewed favorably by 50% of Florida voters and unfavorably by 41%. This includes 24% with a Very Favorable opinion of him and 21% with a Very Unfavorable one.

Forty-three percent (43%) share a favorable opinion of Mack, a member of Congress since 2005, while 49% regard him unfavorably. He’s viewed Very Favorably by 16% and Very Unfavorably by 26%.

Mack has the support of just 77% of Florida Republicans, while 80% of the state’s Democrats favor Nelson.  The incumbent leads by 12 points among voters not affiliated with either of the major parties.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of all voters in the state consider their personal finances good or excellent, while 13% say they are in poor shape. Thirty-two percent (32%) think their finances are getting better, but just as many (33%) say they are getting worse.

Elections for 33 U.S. Senate seats will be held in November. See the latest numbers in Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Forty-nine percent (49%) of Florida voters now approve of the job GOP Governor Rick Scott is doing, while 47% disapprove. This includes Strong Approval from 19% and Strong Disapproval from 31%.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on October 18, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

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