TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Elections have begun and voting is underway. News Channel 8 is tracking the latest happenings throughout the day to bring you the most accurate, up-to-date information this election day. So, who is winning the race for governor?
The Republican incumbent, Ron DeSantis, and Democratic challenger, Charlie Crist, a former Republican governor, became Democratic congressman in the ballot for Florida governor.
Both candidates put forward their vision of Florida that is best for voters.
If Christ wins, he will gain control of the Sunshine State’s agencies, appointments, and executive policy. If DeSantis wins, he will continue on his previously chartered course for the state.
Ultimately, Floridians will choose who serves.
Those who keep a close eye on the latest election results can set Florida’s governor vote tracker to zero. That’s because election results aren’t provided until polling closes at 7 p.m. ET.
Once polling places officially close their doors, results will begin to stream in the live tracker above.
As of Monday, nearly 2.3 million Floridians had voted at early polling places and more than 2.6 million ballots were cast by mail, According to the Florida Division of Elections, There were also about 1.7 million vote-by-mail that were proven but not yet returned.
The agency did not report the results of ballots already collected.
According to a University of North Florida post-gubernatorial debate poll, DeSantis maintained a “comfortable” 14-point lead over Christ in his run for re-election.
“The surprise in these numbers is that a statewide race in Florida is closer to a setback than a recalculation,” said Dr. Michael Bender, a university political science professor and director of the UNF Public Opinion Research Lab.
Similarly, a survey by the University of South Florida showed both races skewed in favor of the Republican candidate.
DeSantis received a 52% favorable rating, compared to Krist’s 31% rating in the poll.
So far, the USF survey showed that the biggest issue on the ballot for governor was economic, with 80% of those polled saying that their choice for governor is responsible for shaping the future of the state.
This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest Election Day coverage with News Channel 8’s free on-air and on-the-go WFLA News Channel 8 Mobile App,
