Democratic gubernatorial candidates David Jolly and Jerry Demings are in a dead heat in the primary for Florida governor, according to a recent Public Policy survey first shared through POLITICO.
According to the poll's survey, both Jolly and Demings are tied at 22% for the Democratic nomination. However, a whopping 56% of primary voters remain undecided, indicating the race is just getting started, with neither candidate establishing a clear edge.
Demings holds a commanding lead against Jolly with Black voters (34% to 16%), with 50% undecided. Notably, Global Strategy Group, which shared the survey, is a Demings-backed polling firm.
Demings, who is the mayor of Orange County, entered the governor's race in November. Jolly, a former Republican congressman, joined the race in June.
And that's where the race turns, according to the survey.
When voters are informed of Jolly's Republican past, the now Democrat shows some signs of vulnerability. Jolly joined the Democratic Party in April, a few months before entering the race.
“Jolly’s past as a Republican insider, who opposed Obamacare and fought to restrict a woman’s right to choose, will pose a significant challenge for him to win the Primary. Sixty-nine (69%) percent of Democratic Primary voters have a serious concern about Jolly after learning this information,” the memo informs.
With that information, Demings catapults to a near 30-point lead (45% to 16%), with 56% undecided. While the poll was paid for by a political committee tied to Demings, Jolly's past ties to the GOP could become a concern as more voters become informed of his political past, regardless of who's running a survey.
Florida has not elected a Democratic governor since Lawton Chiles in 1994. After a brief stint by Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay following Chiles' death in 1998, Republicans have held the seat four straight times.
And that might not change. According to the Florida Division of Elections, Republicans hold a whopping 1.4 million registration lead over Democrats.
Regardless of Jolly's past affiliation, both he and Demings might have a tough time breaking through, given Florida's current state and its history.
