Poll: Florida Republicans pick Bush over Rubio for president

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) is clobbering Sen. Marco Rubio (R) ahead of the 2016 primary in their shared home state of Florida, according to a new poll.

A survey released Wednesday by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute found that when Republican voters are asked to choose between the two potential candidates for president, Bush takes 54 percent support against only 36 percent for Rubio.

Still, a majority of Republicans in Florida said they would like to see both potential candidates run for president. The survey found that 63 percent say Bush should make a bid, while 58 percent would like to see Rubio do the same.

{mosads}Rubio has a lot of buzz in conservative circles, where he’s lauded as a next-generation candidate with phenomenal communication skills and strong foreign policy bona fides. The Florida senator has been fundraising aggressively and building out a top-flight political team, and many believe he’s primed to make a deep run for the GOP presidential nomination.

But the Saint Leo University poll underscores the challenge Rubio faces in taking on his former mentor.

Bush has far deeper loyalties from many in Florida from his time as governor and through his family’s expansive political network. In February, The Hill surveyed members of the Florida GOP delegation, and found that Bush already has the backing of five House members, compared to only one clear backer for Rubio.

Bush and Rubio could find out exactly where they stand with Florida Republicans in less than a year, assuming both men run for president and last through the early-state primaries and caucuses.

Florida’s winner-take-all primary is set for March 15, and could potentially deliver a huge delegate boost to one of its homegrown potential candidates.