A new University of North Florida poll shows former Vice President Joe Biden holding an astounding lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders ahead of the Sunshine State’s important presidential primary on Tuesday.
The poll, conducted by the school’s Public Opinion Research Lab, surveyed likely voters, and shows Biden leading 66% to Sanders’ 22%. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has 1%.
“Biden is looking toward a blowout in Florida,” said Dr. Michael Binder, lab director. “Florida’s polling numbers combined with Biden’s strong showing this past week in the primaries, paints a bleak picture for the Sanders campaign. He is facing a do-or-die debate on Sunday if he hopes to swing the momentum.”
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On March 17, 577 delegates are at stake in Florida (219); Illinois (155); and Arizona (67).
On Monday, Ohio's governor attempted to postpone the state's its primary due to the coronavirus, but a state judge denied his request Monday evening. Ohio has 136 delegates available.
Riding a wave of African American support in the South, Biden won 10 of Super Tuesday’s 14 states. While Sanders won the night’s biggest prize — California and its 415 delegates — Biden was widely seen as Super Tuesday’s biggest winner, resurrecting a campaign that had been declared all but dead only a week before.
Earlier this week, Biden continued that momentum with four wins on Super Tuesday 2.0, including the biggest prize up for grabs last night, Michigan, as well as Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho.
»March 10, 2020, presidential primary results
Biden seized a key battleground state that helped propel Sanders’ insurgent candidacy four years ago. The former vice president's victory in Michigan, as well as Missouri and Mississippi, dealt a serious blow to Sanders, who was urgently seeking to jump-start his flagging campaign.
On Wednesday, amid speculation he would quit the race, Sanders instead told reporters he is remaining in the contest, but did not take questions from the media.
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Among younger voters (18 to 24-year-olds), Sanders garnered 77% of the vote, while Biden shows greater popularity with the 65+ crowd at 78%. Middle age-range voters between 35 and 44 years of age seem more split, with 45% intending to vote for Biden and 40% for Sanders.
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“Sanders does have a lot of support among young people; however, there are just not enough voters in that demographic to propel him to a victory in Florida,” said Binder.
Biden has the greatest support of black respondents at 68%, followed by 67% of white respondents, and 65% of Hispanic respondents. Sanders’ support is greatest among Hispanics at 28%, followed by white and black respondents at 21% and 18%, respectively.
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