Sink Ahead of Scott, McCollum in New Poll

For the first time this year, a poll shows Democrat Alex Sink beating both of her potential Republican challengers in the race for Florida governor.

The new survey by Public Policy Polling shows Sink ahead of Naples businessman Rick Scott, 36 to 30 percent, and Attorney General Bill McCollum 37 to 23 percent. Both results are outside the poll’s margin of error.

No-party candidate Bud Chiles receives support from less than one-sixth of the 900 Florida voters polled.

Pollster Tom Jensen says negative campaign commercials are taking a toll on both McCollum and Scott, allowing Sink to swim against the national tide.

"Sink is winning independent voters, which is really unusual for a Democratic candidate this cycle," he said.

"But you have a really dis-unified Republican party right now, and Sink is really benefiting from that."

Still, Jensen expects a close race in the fall, especially if Republicans can unify behind the winner of August’s primary.

McCollum is seen negatively by about half of voters, while 40 percent have a negative view of Scott.

Jensen said no candidate paid for this poll, and although PPP mostly works for Democratic candidates.