Crist Leads in Both Primary and General Races for Senate

June 29, 2009 4:06 PM | | Comments (1)

Republican Gov. Charlie Crist's high statewide name recognition is paying off, with Crist holding strong leads in both the primary and general elections at this early stage in the race, according to a Mason-Dixon Polling & Research survey conducted June 24-26.

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The survey found that only 3 percent of voters of all parties failed to recognize Crist and less than 1 percent of likely Republican voters responded that they did not recognize Crist. By comparison, 47 percent of voters of all parties and 48 percent of likely GOP voters surveyed did not recognize Crist's major challenger for the GOP nomination, former state House speaker Marco Rubio.

The two Republicans are among those candidates actively campaigning to succeed Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, who is retiring. Crist decided against running for a second term as Florida's chief executive to vie for the open federal office.

Crist led Rubio 51 percent to 23 percent with 26 percent undecided in a hypothetical primary match-up, but among Republican voters who recognized both candidates, Crist's lead narrowed 33 percent to 31 percent with 36 percent undecided.

The poll's margin of error is 4 percentage points.

Democrats also have ground to make up in terms of name recognition, according to the poll. A total of 52 percent of likely Democrats surveyed did not recognize the Democratic frontrunner, Rep. Kendrick B. Meek. His potential Democratic competitor, Rep. Corinne Brown, also was not recognized by 53 percent of those surveyed. Brown is exploring a bid but has yet to confirm her 2010 plans.

In a Democratic primary match-up, Meek led Brown 27 to 12 percent with 61 percent undecided.

The poll provided general election matchups for Crist, but not Rubio. Crist led Meek among all voters surveyed 48 percent to 26 percent with 26 percent undecided. Crist also led Brown 55 percent to 24 percent with 21 percent undecided.

CQ Politics rates the race Leans Republican.

To see how the 2010 Senate races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.

-Rachel Kapochunas

More from CQ Politics

Categories: Mason-Dixon Research, Senate

Tags: Brown, Crist, Florida, Meek, Rubio

    Comments

  1. [Crist led Rubio 51 percent to 23 percent with 26 percent undecided in a hypothetical primary match-up, but among Republican voters who recognized both candidates, Crist's lead narrowed 33 percent to 31 percent with 36 percent undecided.]
    This is obviously the important point here. Very interesting---don't think this will be a coronation in the GOP primary. But as it stands now, either GOPer beats Kendrick Meek, too left of center .

    Posted by: NObama Author Profile Page | June 30, 2009 1:07 PM

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