By Jacob Engels
Governor Rick Scott got some good news last week.
A Sept. 30 – Oct. 8 poll of registered voters by the University of North Florida finds likely Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist leading Gov. Scott by only 44 percent to 40 percent. That’s within the poll’s margin of error of 4.27 percent.
Scott is benefiting from a growing economy and his mantra-like emphasis on job creation. Crist with almost universal name ID is probably at his high-water mark now. While other polls have shown a wider gap in the Scott-Crist battle no poll has shown Crist comfortably over 50 % suggesting that a come from behind scenario for Scott is possible.
Scott has also stepped up his fundraising girding for battle in what is one of the nation’s most expensive media states. Scott’s Committee ‘Let’s get to work” has pulled in $13.5 million while the Republican Party of Florida raised $5.2 million through September 30th. Although Crist is considered a prodigious fundraiser few think he can raise the kind of resources Scott can, giving the incumbent Governor more expensive TV fire-power in the fight ahead. The decision by Alex Sink not to take another shot for Governor must have been met with sighs of relief in the Crist Camp. It means Crist won’t have to divert substantial but limited resources to a Democratic primary fight.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post. Along with the Post, he owns several other businesses and is currently enrolled at Valencia College. Jacob has lived in Avalon Park since it’s founding and enjoys playing with his black Labradoodle Jasper, listening to indie rock, and seeking out new business ventures. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
