The Florida Chamber of Commerce recently released a statewide poll indicating strong job approval ratings for Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump among Floridians. The survey also revealed that 49% of respondents believe Florida is heading in the right direction, while 43% feel it is on the wrong track. Opinions on the national direction are divided, with 47% viewing it positively and an equal percentage negatively. Notably, optimism among younger voters has increased significantly since October 2024.
Support for legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida remains below the required 60% threshold for passage, with only 53% backing the initiative. This marks the sixth consecutive poll where support has fallen short. Despite significant financial investment in promoting legalization during the 2024 election, public sentiment appears to be waning.
The poll also highlights voter support for reforming Florida’s constitutional amendment process. A majority of voters favor returning control to citizens rather than special interest groups. Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, stated: “Out of state and special interest groups have attempted to circumvent the Florida Legislature by spending hundreds of millions of dollars pushing amendments to Florida’s Constitution.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 elections, Republicans maintain a strong position in Florida’s political landscape. The poll indicates that 50% of Floridians would vote for a Republican candidate compared to 38% who would choose a Democrat. This reflects past election trends where Republicans secured notable victories.
Republican voter registration continues to outpace Democrats in Florida. As of December 31, 2024, Republicans had a lead of over one million active voters compared to Democrats, expanding their influence across all counties since the last election cycle.
The Florida Chamber plans to continue its efforts in voter education and candidate recruitment through various initiatives as they prepare for future elections.
The poll was conducted by Cherry Communications from February 2-8, 2025, surveying likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.
