New polling following the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida indicates incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is in serious jeopardy of losing his seat to Republican challenger Gov. Rick Scott in November.
According to Quinnipiac University, 46 percent of Floridians surveyed between February 23–26 would vote for Nelson, and 42 percent would vote for Scott, but the poll’s additional data points suggest the gap is closing in favor of Scott.
Most notably, Scott posted a net 49–40 percent approval rating. Not only does this mark an all-time high, but it is also the first positive approval rating Scott has scored in his two terms as governor, according to Quinnipiac’s figures.
Nelson currently holds a 48–34 percent approval rating. His career high, 54 percent, was recorded in February 2007.
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol February 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer answered a range of questions related primarily to planned gun reform legislation by the U.S. Congress. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Additionally, when considering Quinnipiac’s 3.6 percent margin of error, Nelson’s 4-point lead over Scott essentially evaporates.
Nelson was already considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for re-election in 2018.
Furthermore, Scott’s actions following the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School put him in a unique class, namely that of a Republican lawmaker specifically calling for and implementing sweeping gun control reforms.
Florida Governor Rick Scott (R), Broward County Superintendent of Schools, Robert W. Runcie (C) and Broward County Sheriff, Scott Israel (L) speak to the media about the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where 17 people were killed on February 15, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Police arrested the suspect after a short manhunt, and have identified him as 19 year old former student Nikolas Cruz. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
He, along with Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, regularly briefed the media in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
Roughly one week later, Scott announced legislation that would raise Florida’s purchasing age for all firearms from 18 to 21.
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In the same press conference, Scott outlined plans to “prohibit a person from possessing or purchasing a firearm if there is stalking, cyber-stalking, dating violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, or domestic violence.”
Conversely, Nelson has maintained a relatively low-profile since the Parkland shooting.
On February 15 — one day after the tragedy — he incorrectly accused Cruz of using an “automatic weapon” in his attack.
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The following week at CNN’s gun safety town hall, Nelson and Sen. Marco Rubio were accused of taking blood money from the NRA. Both stopped short of totally disavowing the Second Amendment group and saying they would not accept future gun-related campaign donations.