Florida loves former Gov. Jeb Bush, but it may love Hillary Clinton more.
A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday found Bush far ahead of Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, as well as other Republicans, in the battle for the GOP 2016 presidential nomination.
Bush is the choice of 27 percent of Republicans, followed by U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky with 14 percent, Rubio at 11 percent, New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie at 7 percent, with 6 percent each for Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan. No other candidate tops 4 percent and 16 percent are undecided.
Clinton is well ahead of other Democrats, getting 64 percent to Vice President Joe Biden's 11 percent. Next is Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren with 6 percent.
"With former Gov. Jeb Bush making noises about a possible 2016 candidacy, his support among Republicans in the Sunshine State appears to be solidifying. He still trails Hillary Clinton in a general election matchup, but he is the only potential GOP nominee who gets within single digits of her," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, in a statement.
"For a potential Hillary Clinton candidacy in Florida, November 2016 can't get here soon enough."
That's because Clinton leads Bush by 8 in a general election matchup. She also beats all the other potential GOP contenders.
David Lightman
McClatchy Washington Bureau