JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s races for governor and U.S. Senate are tightening, according to a new University of North Florida poll.
The poll shows Republicans with narrow leads in both contests.
In the governor’s race, Republican Byron Donalds is at 49%, and Democrat David Jolly is at 47%. Donalds’ lead is now two points, down from a five-point lead in July.
UNF political science professor Sean Freeder said midterm races are often shaped by national election factors.
“The president is not on the ballot, but people treat the president as if he’s on the ballot,” Freeder said. “The party of the president often suffers in midterms.”
On affordability and the cost of living, the poll shows 42% of voters trust Donalds more, compared with 43% for Jolly.
On property insurance, Donalds has an advantage, with 43% of voters saying they trust him more compared with 38% for Jolly.
The U.S. Senate race is also getting closer. Republican Ashley Moody leads Democrat Angie Nixon, 49% to 45%.
Freeder said Nixon has benefited from national attention and increased name recognition..
Voters also weighed in on Amendment 3, a property tax proposal that would increase the homestead exemption over time and lower the cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties.
Half of those surveyed support the proposal, but that is short of the 60% needed to pass.
Freeder said undecided voters could determine whether the proposal reaches that threshold.
UNF surveyed nearly 1,500 likely Florida voters between Oct. 12 and Oct. 19. The poll’s overall margin of error is plus or minus 2.81 percentage points.
Election Day is Nov. 3.
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