Poll gives Bush win over Reno by 2-1 ratio

A survey by teachers unions shows voters prefer the incumbent governor over the Democratic challenger.

By LUCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 23, 2001

TALLAHASSEE -- A poll taken in mid October by the state's teachers unions shows Gov. Jeb Bush defeating former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno by more than a 2-1 ratio in the 2002 election for governor.

The poll, conducted Oct. 12-14 by Rob Schroth & Associates of Washington, showed the Republican governor leading his well-known Democratic opponent 60 percent to 26 percent.

The poll was conducted to gauge the feelings of Florida voters on budget cuts and taxes to support education, but it included a question asking voters whom they would support in a head-to-head match between Bush and Reno.

When the Florida Education Association released the results of the poll last week it did not disclose the response to the Bush-Reno question. FEA president Maureen Dinnen said Monday night that the results of the political question were omitted because the teachers did not want to detract attention from the budget cuts.

Instead, the teachers talked about support for a temporary half-cent sales tax increase to prevent cutting programs for public schools, children and senior citizens.

Word of the poll was released Monday by Garcia Public Affairs, a Bal Harbour firm run by Democratic activist Joe Garcia, who suggests that Reno's campaign for governor is "on life support" because of the candidacy of House Minority Leader Lois Frankel.

"If Schroth's numbers are accurate, Reno would do worse with general election voters than 1994 Democratic senatorial candidate Hugh Rodham who polled 29.5 percent statewide," Garcia said.

Reno could not be reached for comment and a spokeswoman said the campaign could not talk about it without seeing the poll.

Karen Unger, campaign chairman for Bush, said the poll is but one of many that will be taken between now and November 2002.

"The numbers will change," Unger said. "It would not be wise to put too much stock in a poll taken 13 months before Election Day."

Reno's name identification among Florida voters is believed to be extremely high, but she failed to raise nearly as much money as some other candidates. For the period ending Sept. 30, Reno raised $102,179 compared with $512,000 raised by Bill McBride, former managing partner for Holland & Knight.

But Reno has indicated she doesn't need to raise as much money as an unknown candidate would have to collect, since she is well known to Florida voters.

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