Florida Senate 2010 Election: Both Republicans Marco Rubio, Charlie Crist Lead Democrat Meek

Another Senate seat in 2010 that looks to be Republican.

In the 2010 battle for the Senate seat in Florida, both Republicans, Marco Rubio and Charlie Christ, lead Democrat Kendrick Meek. Rubio leads Meek 49% – 35%, while Christ leads Meek, 42% – 36%. The election is for the Senate seat presently held by a George LeMieux who was appointed following the retirement of Mel Martinez.

In any event it would appear that the Senate seat will go Republican.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Florida finds former state House Speaker Marco Rubio leading Democrat Kendrick Meek 49% to 35%. Governor Charlie Crist leads Meek 42% to 36%.

The reason for the difference is that 79% of conservatives support Rubio but only 62% say Crist can count on their vote. Twenty-four percent (24%) of conservatives say they’d prefer either a third party option or are undecided. If Crist were to win the nomination, it is likely that many of those voters would end up supporting him over Meek.

In the Republican Senate primary in Florida, it appears that it is a dead heat between Governor Charlie Crist and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio. In the most recent Rasmussen poll, Christ and Rubio are tied at 43% each.

Suddenly, the lesser known Marco Rubio has gained greater name recognition in recent months and his he is now he is viewed “Very Favorably” by 34% of likely primary voters,  up from 18% from August. Christ’s “Very Favorable” numbers are going in the opposite direction.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely GOP Primary voters finds Crist and Rubio each with 43% of the vote. Five percent (5%) prefer another candidate, and nine percent (9%) are undecided.

Crist’s support has fallen from 53% in August to 49% in October. Rasmussen Reports noted at the time, “The fact that Crist has fallen below 50% in a primary against a lesser known opponent suggests potential vulnerability.”