Democrat Alex Sink is ahead of both of her potential Republican challengers. Sink leads Rick Scott 36:30 and Attorney General Bill McCollum 37:23. In both horseraces Independent candidate Bud Chiles finishes third with less than a sixth of the vote.

Despite leading the race Sink has relatively low name recognition, 54% of Florida voters say they have yet to form an opinion of the Democratic nominee. She is fairly unknown amongst Democrats as well. 49% of Floridians within her own party are unsure of their opinion of Sink and only 33% have a favorable opinion. Sink is certainly benefiting from the brutally competitive Republican Primary.

The Republican primary battle is taking its toll on both McCollum and Scott. Both candidates are undoubtedly better known than Sink, but it is not necessarily in their favor. 41% of Florida voters have an unfavorable opinion of Scott and 51% have an unfavorable opinion of McCollum.

The negative campaigning has worked, but it is unclear if either candidate has really benefited from the attacks. 40% of Republicans have an unfavorable opinion of McCollum and 30% of Republicans have an unfavorable opinion of Scott. While Scott may have the upper hand now, the negative attention may continue to be a scar on his campaign even into the general election.

“Voters hate negative campaigning and at this rate no matter which candidate the Republicans nominate they will enter the general with baggage too heavy to lose,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “As the general election rolls around Sink will simply need to highlight her strengths as a candidate to win.”

PPP surveyed 900 Florida voters from July 16-18.  The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.26%.  Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.

If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.

Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q1 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Bud Chiles? If favorable, press 1. If
unfavorable, press 2. If you’re not sure, press
3.
Favorable……………………………………………….. 12%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 18%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 70%

Q2 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Bill McCollum? If favorable, press 1. If
unfavorable, press 2. If you’re not sure, press
3.
Favorable……………………………………………….. 16%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 51%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 33%

Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Rick Scott? If favorable, press 1. If
unfavorable, press 2. If you’re not sure, press
3.
Favorable……………………………………………….. 23%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 41%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 36%

Q4 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Alex Sink? If favorable, press 1. If
unfavorable, press 2. If you’re not sure, press
3.
Favorable……………………………………………….. 24%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 22%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 54%

Q5 If the candidates for Governor this fall were
Independent Bud Chiles, Republican Bill
McCollum, and Democrat Alex Sink who would
you vote for? If Bud Chiles, press 1. If Bill
McCollum, pres 2. If Alex Sink, press 3. If
you’re undecided, press 4.
Chiles…………………………………………………….. 14%
McCollum……………………………………………….. 23%
Sink……………………………………………………….. 37%
Undecided………………………………………………. 26%

Q6 If the candidates for Governor this fall were
Independent Bud Chiles, Republican Rick
Scott, and Democrat Alex Sink who would you
vote for? If Bud Chiles, press 1. If Rick Scott,
press 2. If Alex Sink, press 3. If you’re
undecided, press 4.
Chiles…………………………………………………….. 13%
Scott ……………………………………………………… 30%
Sink……………………………………………………….. 36%
Undecided………………………………………………. 22%

Q7 Who did you vote for President last year?
John McCain…………………………………………… 48%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 46%
Someone Else/Don’t Remember………………… 6%

Q8 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 19%
Moderate………………………………………………… 44%
Conservative…………………………………………… 37%

Q9 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 49%
Man……………………………………………………….. 51%

Q10 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 40%
Republican……………………………………………… 40%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 20%

Q11 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.
If African American, press 3. If other, press 4.
Hispanic…………………………………………………. 10%
White …………………………………………………….. 76%
African American …………………………………….. 10%
Other……………………………………………………… 4%

Q12 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 7%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 24%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 39%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 30%