TOPLINE
A poll from Quinnipiac University released Thursday puts former Vice President Joe Biden up by double digits over President Trump in Florida, a state he won in 2016 and one which will be critical for his reelection chances in November.
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 22: Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks as Florida Democratic gubernatorial ... [+]
KEY FACTS
The poll of 924 registered voters has Biden leading Trump by 13 points in the Sunshine State, with 51% to 38%, up from a 4 point lead in a Quinnipiac poll in April.
Trump won the state by 1.5 points in 2016, with a 17 point lead among voters 65 and older, according to CNN exit polling.
But in the Quinnipiac poll, Biden leads by 3 points among that bloc, while also taking independents by 16 points and winning 10% of Republicans, compared to the 2% of Democrats who say they support Trump.
Biden is favored by double digits on handling a crisis, health care, coronavirus and racial inequality, while Trump leads by 3 on the economy.
Both Trump and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis have seen their approval ratings plummet underwater, with DeSantis at an 11-point deficit and Trump at an 18-point deficit.
As Biden’s lead grew by 9 points since April, approval of Trump’s coronavirus handling dropped by 9 points, from 46% to 37%.
Big Number
79%. The vast majority of voters support requiring mask-wearing in public spaces, with 79% expressing support and just 20% saying they oppose such a measure. DeSantis has maintained opposition to such a mandate.
News Peg
Florida has been one of the hardest hit states by the coronavirus pandemic in recent weeks. The state reported 10,249 new cases and 173 new deaths in Florida alone. Trump’s push to reopen schools also appears unpopular. Nearly two-thirds of voters said they think it would be unsafe to send students to school in the fall as more young people in the state are getting sick from the virus.
Tangent
The Republican National Convention is another undesirable Trump push. 62% of voters say they think it would be unsafe to hold the event in Jacksonville in August as scheduled, while just 34% said they think it would be safe. However, 69% of Republicans said they think it would be safe.
