"Anything is possible": Political analyst says no clear favorite in Florida's Democratic governor contest

Record ID: 1685646

  • Title: "Anything is possible": Political analyst says no clear favorite in Florida's Democratic governor contest
  • Date: 22nd August 2022
  • Summary: MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 22, 2022) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, BRIAN FONSECA SAYING: "Keep in mind, this is Chris seventh statewide campaign. And while he appears slightly up in the polls, he's had a stronger name he's had stronger name recognition across the state, he's had a far larger financial backing, we have seen sort of Nikki Fried sort of rising in the polls over the last several iterations of polling. And so she is sort of a new face. She is capturing attention. Chris still has a slight advantage, but I do think that, again, anything is possible. And Nikki Fried could pull off an upset and win the Democratic primary. It's really going to come down to whether or not Democrats get out to back one of their respective candidates, whether it's Crist or Fried. That's why I think it tends to be, you know, far, far closer than maybe the polls have suggested."
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2022 23:37
  • Keywords: charlie crist early voting election elections govenor nikki freid primary ron desantis
  • Location: MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
  • City: MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Government/Politics,United States,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA005998622082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Early voting for the Florida primaries ended on Sunday (August 21), but a political analyst said the poll numbers still don't reflect how democratic candidates Nikki Fried and Charlie Crist are doing.
    "Nikki Fried could pull off an upset and win the Democratic primary. It's really going to come down to whether or not Democrats get out to back one of their respective candidates, whether it's Crist or Fried," Professor of Florida International University and Political Science analyst, Brian Fonseca told Reuters.
    Fonseca said the battle between the Democratic and Republican parties is as intense as ever. "We're at a state of polarization where it's no longer just two parties that are entrenched in their own beliefs, but it's two parties that look at the other as the enemy," Fonseca said.
    And he predicts Governor DeSantis is preparing for a presidential run.
    "It's absolutely a possibility that as soon as the gubernatorial election is over, he wins it. He will have his eye on 2024."
    On Tuesday (August 23), Floridians will choose their nominees to contest November's congressional elections, which will determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate for the next two years.
    (Production by: Maria Alejandra Cardona)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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