Hillary Clinton tops Donald Trump in new Florida poll
Hillary Clinton would defeat Donald Trump in Florida, but Floridians don’t have a favorable impression of either candidate. A new survey by business group Associated Industries of Florida found that Clinton would defeat Trump in Florida, 49 percent to 36 percent. The former Secretary of State leads the New York Republican in almost every demographic, including Hispanics (+43) and voters in the critical I-4 corridor (+19). The only demographic where Trump leads Clinton is among whites (+8). While Clinton might be the favored candidate, she isn’t well liked. The survey found 52 percent of Floridians said they had an unfavorable opinion of her. Forty-six percent of respondents said they had a favorable opinion while 3 percent said they were unsure. Clinton was upside down in several major demographics, including Hispanics (-2), non-major party voters (-8) and millennials (-31). And yet, her unfavorables are nothing compared to those of Trump. The survey found 62 percent of Floridians had an unfavorable opinion of Trump while 33 percent had a favorable view. Four percent of respondents said they were unsure. The survey found 87 percent of Hispanics, who will make up about 14 percent of the general electorate, have an unfavorable opinion of Trump. He’s also underwater among females (-32) and non-major party voters (-34). AIF also looked at how Ted Cruz would fare in Florida. The survey found 58 percent of Floridians said they had an unfavorable view of the Texas Republican; while 28 percent said they had a favorable view. Cruz was underwater in almost every demographic, including non-major party voters (-25), females (-30) and whites (-27). Clinton would also defeat Cruz in the Sunshine State. Forty-eight percent of Floridians said they would choose Clinton while 39 percent stated that they would pick Cruz. The Associated Industries of Florida survey interviewed 604 likely general election voters by phone from April 25 through April 27.
Donald Trump draws bevy of Pensacola-area endorsements before rally
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump‘s rally in Pensacola not only is expected to draw more than 10,000 participants Wednesday, it brought him six endorsements from area activists including the brother of “Morning Joe” co-host Joe Scarborough, his campaign announced Wednesday. The rally’s warm-up speakers represent endorsements from the likes of businessman George Scarborough; the Rev. Carl Gallups; Second Amendment activist Clover Lawson; and veterans Terry Busbee Sr., Gary O’Neal and Capt. Allen Brady, in addition to Kathryn ‘Kat’ Gates-Skipper the first female Marine in combat operations. She had announced her endorsement previously “It is my great honor to receive endorsements from each of these incredible people,” Trump said in a news release issued by his campaign. “Their support for my message and endorsement of my candidacy for President of the United States means so much to me, and with their help, and the help of so many great people in Florida and all over the country, we will make America great again!” George Scarborough, a Pensacola resident and brother of former congressman and MSNBC “Morning Joe” co-host Joe Scarborough, is the owner of Scarborough Consulting and regional director of The Studer Group. Joe Scarborough has often commented during his show about his brother’s support for Trump. Gallups is an author, radio and television talk show host and senior pastor of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton. Lawson is a founding partner of Lawson & Palmer LLC. The campaign described as one of the foremost women in the firearms industry, who represents world-class competitive shooters, as well as some of the best manufacturers in tactical gear. Brady served 32 years in the Navy including four years at the Naval Academy, and spent six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam’s infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison camp. Busbee served multiple tours in Vietnam before moving into politics. He is leaving the Democratic Party to endorse Trump for president because “he’s the smartest man for the job,” according to the campaign release. Retired Chief Warrant Officer Gary O’Neal was an Army Ranger and president of the Worldwide Army Rangers Association. A biography titled “American Warrior: The True Story of A Legendary Ranger” detailing O’Neal’s extraordinary service was released in 2013.
