TAMPA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
The Tampa Bay Times is reporting on results of a new, private poll which gives former Gov. Charlie Crist an advantage over notable Democrats in a hypothetical primary for governor.
The paper reports that half of the poll, conducted by ClearView Research, was completed before Crist's Dec. 7 announcement that he was becoming a Democrat.
Among 1,000 Democratic voters surveyed, Crist gets high marks on recognition and favorability. He also leads former Florida Chief Financial Officer and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink, by 25 points and has a considerable advantage over other prospective candidates, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
Crist said he "feels comfortable" as a Democrat but remains mum on whether he would challenge Republican Governor Rick Scott in 2014.
Crist added there were a few issues he would handle differently than when he was governor -- including his signing of a petition banning same-sex marriage. He said Thursday that he wouldn't sign that petition today.
Crist was elected governor as a Republican and then ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as an independent, losing to Marco Rubio.
Read more on the Tampa Bay Times website.
Some information taken from the Associated Press.
