2016 Presidential Election Swing States: Hillary Clinton Leads In Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio; Jeb Bush Provides Challenge in Sunshine State
Three critical swing states appear in favor of the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, based on new polling data.
Quinnipiac University's latest polling figures have former Secretary of State Clinton ahead of her potential Republican presidential candidates in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Of the three aforementioned states, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush could provide trouble for Clinton. While Clinton still defeated Bush in the Florida poll, she won by 1-percentage point.
In Florida, Clinton received 44 percent to Bush's 43 percent. Bush provided a challenge to Clinton compared to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who received 33 percent of support than 51 percent for Clinton. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., also trailed against Clinton with 38 percent to 50 percent, respectively. With Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Clinton maintains her lead with 49 percent to 39 percent for the senator.
In Ohio, Clinton easily defeated Christie with 47 percent to 34 percent. Against Bush, Clinton maintained her 47 percent while Bush received 36 percent. Clinton's percentage improved to 48 percent when faced against Paul, who received 36 percent. When Ohio respondents were provided with the option of the state's Gov. John Kasich, he provided a challenge for Clinton. Kasich received 43 percent, while Clinton attracted 44 percent of the vote.
In Pennsylvania, Christie's percentage improved to 39 percent, but he still trailed by double-digits against Clinton, who received 50 percent of the vote.
Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said, "New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie fares better than other potential GOP candidates against Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, but despite his 'neighbor' status he is nowhere close to challenging a candidate who is riding a tsunami of support from women."
The double-digit advantage continued for Clinton against Bush and Paul. Bush received 35 percent while Clinton received 50 percent. Pennsylvania respondents gave Paul 35 percent to Clinton's 53 percent.
Quinnipiac University's poll also gave Pennsylvania respondents the option of voting former Sen. Rick Santorum in a hypothetical election against Clinton. Santorum failed to close Clinton's double-digit lead. He received 34 percent of the vote, and Clinton garnered 54 percent.
Malloy said, "While would-be Republican presidential candidates, even Native Son Rick Santorum, absorb less than stellar favorability numbers, Clinton has the closest thing to rock star ratings a politician can get in America today. Pennsylvania, which just elected a Democratic governor, is shaping up early in the campaign season as the bluest of the Swing States."
"Although history suggests that once [Clinton] becomes a full-fledge candidate and part of the nastiness that comes with politics these days those numbers may drop some," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "She begins the campaign in very strong shape with voters and not just Democrats.
"In the three big swing states she is getting 86-93 percent of Democrats, 36-54 percent of independent voters and even up to 15 percent of Republicans. Because Mrs. Clinton would be the first woman major party presidential nominee, she probably gets an extra boost among women, who tend Democratic."
The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted between Jan. 22 and Feb. 11. In Florida, 936 people participated in the survey, while 943 Ohioans and 881 Pennsylvanians also took part in their respective polls.
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