MEMORANDUM

Calls: Cherry Communications

Sample size: 606 Field Dates: Dec. 3-8, 2016
TO: Florida Chamber Political Institute, Florida Chamber Board of Directors and Partners
FROM: Marian Johnson, Executive Director, Florida Chamber Political Institute
CC: Mark Wilson, President and CEO
DATE: December 19, 2016
RE: Florida Chambers Latest Statewide Poll and Analysis

The Florida Chamber Political Institute has completed another statewide poll, and Im pleased to share
results with you.
As a partner of the Florida Chambers Political Institute, youre likely aware that the Florida Chamber is
consistently in the field checking the political pulse of Floridians on how they feel about elected officials
as well as the issues impacting them. With the 2016 election in the rear view mirror, and voters preparing
for a Donald J. Trump presidency, there are now 12.9 million registered voters in Florida, with 4.9 million
Democrats, 4.6 million Republicans, and 3.1 million No Party Affiliates (NPAs).
Overall, Floridians have a positive feeling about the direction of our state, approve of the job Governor
Rick Scott is doing, and still point to jobs and the economy as their top concern. A breakdown of the
numbers shows:
Florida voters like the direction our state is headed (52%-27%):

52 percent of likely voters believe Florida is heading in the right direction, whereas only 27 percent
believe things are heading in the wrong direction.
Voters are more optimistic than they have been. In fact, for the first time since the Great Recession
began in 2007, the Florida Chamber Political Institute poll shows more than 50 percent of Floridians
are more optimistic about Floridas direction.
Republicans and NPAs are especially optimistic with 72 percent of Republicans and 50 percent of
NPAs saying things are heading in the right direction, while only 35 percent of Democrats are
optimistic.

 Governor Rick Scotts favorability ratings are more positive than negative as voters have a positive
outlook on the state:

44 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Governor Scott, compared with 42 percent that
have an unfavorable opinion.
Governor Rick Scott further increases with voters when asked about his job approval:

53 percent of Florida voters approve of the job Rick Scott is doing as Governor, with 40 percent
disapproving.
Governor Scott, throughout his term as Governor, has mostly been seen as doing a good job even if
voters sometimes do not have a favorable opinion of him. In the Florida Chambers eighth statewide
poll of 2016, Governor Scotts job approval numbers continue to grow.
Jobs and the economy remain the number one concern among Florida voters at 19 percent, followed by
healthcare/Affordable Care Act at 10 percent and education at 9 percent:

Global warming and immigration are issues that have risen during the last year and still concern
Florida voters with 8 percent choosing global warming and 7 percent for immigration.
Men say jobs and the economy are most important at 20 percent followed by education at 10
percent, healthcare at 8 percent, global warming at 8 percent and immigration at 7 percent.
Women also believe jobs and the economy are most important at 17 percent, followed by healthcare
at 11 percent, education at 9 percent, global warming at 8 percent and immigration at 6 percent.
Florida voters for the first time have a more positive than negative view of President-Elect Donald Trump:

46 percent of Florida voters have a favorable opinion of Donald Trump, while 44 percent have an
unfavorable opinion.
76 percent of Republicans and 44 percent of NPAs/others have a favorable opinion of Donald
Trump, while 64 percent of Democrats have a more unfavorable opinion.
Floridas statewide elected officials as well as President-Elect Donald Trump enjoy positive job approval
numbers:

53 percent of Florida voters approve of the job Rick Scott is doing as Governor.
48 percent of Florida voters approve of the job Bill Nelson is doing as United States Senator.
50 percent of Florida voters approve of how Donald Trump has handled things so far.
Looking ahead to the 2018 Governors race, Democratic voters are most undecided:

If the Democratic primary election were held today, it would be a tight race between former
Congresswoman Gwen Graham and trial lawyer John Morgan. In the Democratic primary for
Governor we find:
Undecided 45%
Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham 16%
Trial Lawyer John Morgan 15%
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum 8%
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn 5%
Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine 5%
Someone Else 4%
Looking to the 2016 Republican primary for Governor, Republicans put Adam Putnam at the top though
an overwhelming majority remain undecided:

In the Republican primary for Governor we find:

Undecided 64%
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam 22%

 Hypothetical head-to-head matchup for Governor show Adam Putnam with a small lead over the top two
Democrats in the race:

Adam Putnam leads Gwen Graham 39 percent to 36 percent.

Adam Putnam leads John Morgan 40 percent to 37 percent.
Florida voters overwhelmingly say they would rather see a business person as Governor than a personal
injury trial lawyer:

67 percent of Florida voters say they would rather a business person be Governor.
Only 9 percent of Florida voters would rather see a personal injury trial lawyer serve as Governor.
It may seem that we have a long time before we need to address the election for Governor and Cabinet,
but time will fly by and before we know it, we will be in the midst of campaigns that will affect Floridas
future. We will be polling continuously to see what the early perceptions of voters are and provide
analysis on trends in an effort to help guide the business community as we march onward to secure
Floridas future.
WANT A POLITICAL EDGE ON THE COMPETITION? Sign your company up for a personalized
Corporate Political Briefing. Contact Andy Gonzalez at agonzalez@flchamber.com or 850-521-1224 to
learn how your company can gain a political edge on the competition. Also, add your name to the list of
those who read Viewpoints: Analyzing Floridas Political Landscape the Florida Chambers monthly
political newsletter. Simply send your email address to me at mjohnson@flchamber.com, and well add
your name to the list.
DID YOU KNOW? Only two Florida Senate seats are term limited in 2018. The two term limited members
of the Florida Senate are Senator Rene Garcia and Senator Jack Latvala. Also in 2018, 20 Senate seats
will be on the ballot, as well as 120 House seats.