Both the Florida gubernatorial race and the Florida Senate race are in a statistical tie with less than a week until the 2018 midterm elections, according to internal Republican polling.
Republican Gov. Rick Scott is leading his Democratic challenger Sen. Bill Nelson by a razor-thin margin. The majority of public polls have shown the closely contested race has been within the margin of error with Nelson slightly ahead, but internal Republican polling reviewed by The Daily Caller News Foundation puts Scott up front.
The internal poll also shows the Florida gubernatorial race neck-and-neck. Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis is trailing Democratic Mayor Andrew Gillum, but again, the race is within the margin of error. Public polls have largely and consistently shown DeSantis lagging, but the race is tightening as election day nears. (RELATED: Andrew Gillum Attends Event Hosted By Anti-Israel Organization Following Mass Attack On Jews)
While the Florida Senate race has not received an overwhelming amount of media attention, the gubernatorial race has made waves, largely in part due to the candidates’ contentious back-and-forth banter. Gillum has faced backlash for his anti-police rhetoric and ties to anti-Israel organizations.
There are rumors of an FBI corruption investigation swirling around him, and allegations he knowingly took tickets to the musical “Hamilton” from an FBI agent. NBC News reports there’s no evidence of an investigation focusing on the candidate, and the “federal probe [is] into Tallahassee’s city government.”
Gillum has responded to his scandals by accusing DeSantis and the Republican Party of racism.
Republican Ron DeSantis (L) and Democrat Andrew Gillum debate at Broward College October 24, 2018 in Davie, Florida. The second and final debate between the two Florida gubernatorial candidates was marked by sharp personal attacks as the November 6 election approaches. (Wilfredo Lee-Pool/Getty Images)
“The Republicans obviously want to distract, want to suggest. All along throughout this … they’ve wanted the people of this state to believe somehow I haven’t deserved what I’ve gotten, I’m unethical, participated in illegal and illicit activity. I mean, you name it,” Gillum said in October. “The goal is obviously to use my candidacy as a way to reinforce, frankly, stereotypes about black men.”
DeSantis has vehemently denied the racial accusations and further condemned racism.
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