# 2014 Florida gubernatorial election

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vte :
The 2014 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Florida.
The incumbent Republican, Rick Scott, ran for reelection. The Democratic nominee was former governor Charlie Crist, who was Scott's direct predecessor. Crist was elected governor as a Republican in 2006 but did not run for re-election in 2010, instead opting to run for Senate as an independent. Libertarian nominee Adrian Wyllie and several candidates with no party affiliation also ran. Political pundits considered the race a toss-up.
On Election Day, Scott defeated Crist, earning 48% of the vote. With a margin of 1%, this election was the closest race of the 2014 gubernatorial election cycle.

## Republican primary
### Candidates
#### Declared

* Yinka Adeshina, pharmacist
* Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder, conservative activist and candidate for governor in 1998
* Rick Scott, incumbent governor

#### Withdrew

* Timothy Devine

#### Declined

* Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer of Florida (running for re-election)
* Pam Bondi, Florida Attorney General (running for re-election)
* Bill McCollum, former Florida attorney general and candidate for governor in 2010
* Adam Putnam, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture (running for re-election)
* John E. Thrasher, state senator
* Will Weatherford, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
* Allen West, former U.S. Representative

### Endorsements

Elected Officials
* Aaron Bean, state senator
* Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida
* Bill McCollum, former attorney general of Florida and candidate for governor in 2010
* John E. Thrasher, state senator
Organizations
* Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida
* Florida Medical Association
* Florida Police Chiefs Association
* Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
* Florida Retail Federation
* JAXChamber
* National Federation of Independent Business
Newspapers
* Tampa Bay Times
* Tampa Tribune

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott | Someone else | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 326 | ± 5.4% | 42% | 43% | — | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 436 | ± 4.7% | 50% | 40% | — | 10% |
| Quinnipiac | December 11–17, 2012 | 1,261 | ± 2.8% | 30% | 53% | — | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 22–25, 2011 | 472 | ± 4.5% | 53% | 37% | — | 10% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott | Pam Bondi | Other | Undecided |
| Hamilton Strategies | January 30 – February 4, 2013 | ? | ± ? | 54% | 21% | — | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 326 | ± 5.4% | 46% | 27% | — | 27% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 436 | ± 4.7% | 49% | 25% | — | 26% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott | Adam Putnam | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 326 | ± 5.4% | 48% | 24% | — | 28% |
| Quinnipiac | March 13–18, 2013 | 353 | ± 5.2% | 47% | 24% | 2% | 27% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott | Tim Tebow | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 14–16, 2012 | 572 | ± 4.1% | 47% | 26% | — | 27% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott | Allen West | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 436 | ± 4.7% | 37% | 38% | — | 25% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott | Ted Yoho | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 326 | ± 5.4% | 54% | 13% | — | 32% |

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rick Scott (incumbent) | 831,887 | 87.65% |
| | Republican | Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder | 100,496 | 10.59% |
| | Republican | Yinka Adeshina | 16,761 | 1.77% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 949,144 | 100% |

## Democratic primary

In April 2010 and while still in office as Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist left the Republican Party to run for U.S. Senate as an Independent. He was defeated in the general election by Republican nominee Marco Rubio. In December 2012, Crist joined the Democratic Party.

### Candidates
#### Declared

* Charlie Crist, former Republican turned Independent Governor and independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010
* Nan Rich, former Minority Leader of the Florida Senate

#### Withdrew

* Farid Khavari, economist, author and Independent candidate for governor in 2010 (running as an Independent)

#### Declined

* Bob Buckhorn, Mayor of Tampa and former Tampa city councilman
* Manny Diaz, former mayor of Miami
* Buddy Dyer, Mayor of Orlando, former Minority Leader of the Florida Senate and nominee for Florida Attorney General in 2002
* Dan Gelber, former Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives, former state senator and nominee for Florida attorney general in 2010
* Pam Iorio, former Mayor of Tampa, former Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections and former Hillsborough County Commissioner
* Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator
* Jeremy Ring, state senator
* Alex Sink, former Chief Financial Officer of Florida, nominee for governor in 2010 and nominee for Florida's 13th congressional district in 2014
* Rod Smith, former chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, former state senator and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010
* Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Representative and chair of the Democratic National Committee

### Endorsements

Elected Officials
* Bob Butterworth, former Florida Attorney General
* Kathy Castor, U.S. representative
* Dan Gelber, former state senator and nominee for attorney general in 2010
Organizations
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
* Equality Florida
* Florida AFL–CIO
* Florida Education Association
* Florida Pipe Trades Council
* Human Rights Campaign
* Florida Police Benevolent Association
Newspapers
* La Gaceta
* The Miami Herald
* Sun-Sentinel
* Tampa Bay Times
* Tampa Tribune
Elected Officials
* Dwight Bullard, state senator
* Katie Edwards, state representative
* Maurice Ferré, former mayor of Miami
* Arthenia Joyner, state senator
* Martin Kiar, Broward County commissioner and former state representative
* Buddy MacKay, former Governor of Florida
* Rick Stark, state representative
Organizations
* Democracy for America Palm Beach County
* National Organization for Women
* National Women's Political Caucus
Newspapers
* El Nuevo Herald

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Charlie Crist | Buddy Dyer | Dan Gelber | Pam Iorio | Anthony Shriver Kennedy | Jimmy Morales | Bill Nelson | Nan Rich | Alex Sink | Rod Smith | Other | Unde- cided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 16–21, 2014 | 243 | ± 6.3% | 58% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16% | — | — | — | 25% |
| Fabrizio McLaughlin | November 24–26, 2013 | 380 | ± ? | 45% | — | — | — | — | — | 32% | 4% | — | — | — | 19% |
| Quinnipiac | November 12–17, 2013 | 1,646 | ± 2.4% | 60% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12% | — | — | 2% | 26% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 27–29, 2013 | 337 | ± ? | 59% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16% | — | — | — | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 500 | ± 5.4% | 50% | — | — | 9% | — | — | — | 3% | 21% | — | — | 16% |
| Hamilton Strategies | Jan. 30 – February 4, 2013 | 600 | ± 4% | 43% | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1% | 14% | — | 5% | 37% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 401 | ± 4.9% | 52% | 4% | — | 13% | — | — | — | 1% | 18% | — | — | 12% |
| SEA Polling | September 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 29% | — | 3% | — | 8% | 2% | — | 1% | 31% | — | — | 26% |
| St. Pete Polls | September 8, 2012 | 1,689 | ± 2.4% | 60.9% | 7% | — | — | — | — | — | 3.5% | 25.1% | 3.4% | — | — |

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Charlie Crist | 623,001 | 74.36% |
| | Democratic | Nan Rich | 214,795 | 25.64% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 837,796 | 100% |

## Libertarian Party
### Candidates
#### Declared

* Adrian Wyllie, activist, radio host and former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Florida

#### Withdrew

* John Wayne Smith, activist and perennial candidate

#### Declined

* Alexander George, former committeeman of the Libertarian Party of Florida and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 (ran as an Independent, then withdrew)
* Steve LaBianca, activist and businessman
* Roger Stone, political consultant, lobbyist and strategist

## Independents
### Candidates
#### Declared

* Glenn Burkett, businessman and perennial candidate
* Farid Khavari, economist, author and independent candidate for governor in 2010

#### Withdrew

* Alexander George, former committeeman of the Libertarian Party of Florida and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012

#### Disqualified

* Joe Allen, writer

### Write-in candidates

* Piotr Blass
   * Running mate: Bob Wirengard
* Timothy Michael Devine
   * Running mate: Diane Smith
* Emelia Sandra Harris
   * Running mate: Georgianna G. Harris
* Monroe Lee
   * Running mate: Juanita Lockett
* Caleb Pringle
   * Running mate: Jeffery Lunsford
* Charles Frederick Tolbert
   * Running mate: Christine Timmon

## General election
### Candidates

The following candidates appeared on the ballot for the general election:
* Rick Scott (Republican), incumbent governor
   * Running mate: Carlos Lopez-Cantera, incumbent lieutenant governor
* Charlie Crist (Democratic), former Republican-turned-independent governor and independent candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010
   * Running mate: Annette Taddeo-Goldstein, former chair of the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party and nominee for Florida's 18th congressional district in 2008
* Adrian Wyllie (Libertarian), activist, radio host and former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Florida
   * Running mate: Greg Roe, insurance executive
* Glenn Burkett (Independent), businessman and perennial candidate
   * Running mate: Jose Augusto Matos
* Farid Khavari (Independent), economist, author and independent candidate for governor in 2010
   * Running mate: Lateresa A. Jones

### Endorsements

Elected Officials
* Randolph Bracy, state representative
* Bob Butterworth, former Florida Attorney General
* Kathy Castor, U.S. Representative
* Bill Clinton, former President of the United States
* Joy Cooper, Mayor of Hallandale Beach
* Dwight Dudley, state representative
* Katie Edwards, state representative
* Mike Fasano, Pasco County Tax Collector
* Alejandro García Padilla, Governor of Puerto Rico
* Dan Gelber, former state senator and nominee for attorney general in 2010
* Eric Jones, Mayor of West Park
* Jeri Muoio, Mayor of West Palm Beach
* Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
* Nan Rich, former state senator and candidate for governor in 2014
* Jack Seiler, Mayor of Fort Lauderdale
* Darren Soto, state senator
Organizations
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
* Equality Florida
* Florida AFL–CIO
* Florida Education Association
* Florida Pipe Trades Council
* Human Rights Campaign
* Planned Parenthood
* Florida Police Benevolent Association
Newspapers
* La Gaceta
* The Miami Herald
* Orlando Sentinel
* The Palm Beach Post
* Sun-Sentinel
* Tallahassee Democrat
* Tampa Bay Times
Elected Officials
* Aaron Bean, state senator
* Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida
* Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey
* Rick Perry, Governor of Texas
* Neil Combee, state representative
* Maurice Ferré. former Democratic Mayor of the City of Miami
* Heather Fitzenhagen, state representative
* Luis Fortuño, former governor of Puerto Rico
* Andy Gardiner, state senator
* Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City
* Carlos Hernandez, Mayor of Hialeah
* John Legg, state senator
* Roberto Martell, Mayor of Medley
* Bill McCollum, former attorney general of Florida and candidate for governor in 2010
* Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, U.S. Representative from Florida
* Dennis A. Ross, U.S. Representative
* Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator from Florida
* Kelli Stargel, state senator
* John E. Thrasher, state senator
* Ritch Workman, state representative
Other individuals
* Jack Nicklaus, professional golfer
Organizations
* Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida
* Florida Forestry Association
* Florida Medical Association
* Florida Police Chiefs Association
* Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
* Florida Retail Federation
* JAXChamber
* Log Cabin Republicans
* National Federation of Independent Business
* NRA Political Victory Fund
Newspapers
* The Bradenton Herald
* The Florida Times-Union
* Naples Daily News
* El Nuevo Herald
* Tampa Tribune
Elected Officials
* Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico
Organizations
* Boomers Against Elder Abuse
Other individuals
* Francisco Rodriguez, Candidate for House District 83
Elected Officials
* Bob Buckhorn, Mayor of Tampa
* Buddy Dyer, Mayor of Orlando
Newspapers
* The Bradenton Times

### Campaign

As of early June 2014, Scott had spent almost $13m since March on television advertisements attacking Charlie Crist, who then appeared the likely Democratic nominee. Although the ads resulted in a tightening of the race, this came about by decreasing Crist's favorability ratings. By contrast, Scott's favorability ratings did not increase. By late September, Scott's television ad spending had exceeded $35m and in mid-October it reached $56.5 million, compared to $26.5 million by Crist. On October 22 it was reported that Scott's total spending had exceeded $83 million and he announced that, having previously said he would not do so, he would be investing his own money into the campaign, speculated to be as much as $22 million.
Crist hoped to draw strong support from Florida's more than 1.6 million registered black voters, an effort that was challenging with regards to his previous political career as a Republican. A poll conducted in September 2014 by Quinnipiac University revealed his support among black voters was at 72 percent against Scott, which was below the 90 percent analysts believed he needed to win.
Scott and Crist met in a debate on October 15, held by the Florida Press Association at Broward College. The debate required candidates to receive at least 15% support in major polls to be included. This was allegedly increased from 10% after Wyllie met the initial criteria, but the Miami Herald reported that the threshold had been 15% since 2013. The decision has been criticized as "suppressing choice" and the Wyllie campaign has filed a lawsuit to be included in the debate. U.S. District Judge James I. Cohn dismissed the lawsuit. At this debate, Scott refused to take the stage for seven minutes because Crist had a small electric fan under his lectern. The incident was dubbed "fangate" by media sources such as Politico.

### Debates

2014 Florida gubernatorial election debates :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Democratic |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | | |
| Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Key: P Participant  A Absent  N Not invited  I Invited W Withdrawn | Rick Scott | Charlie Crist |
| 1 | Oct. 15, 2014 | Broward College Florida Press Association Leadership Florida | Frank Denton Rosemary Goudreau Elliot Rodriguez | C-SPAN | P | P |
| 2 | Oct. 21, 2014 | CNN WJXT | Kent Justice Jake Tapper | C-SPAN | P | P |

### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup | November 3, 2014 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean D (flip) | November 3, 2014 |
| Rothenberg Political Report | Tossup | November 3, 2014 |
| Real Clear Politics | Tossup | November 3, 2014 |

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott (R) | Charlie Crist (D) | Adrian Wyllie (L) | Other | Undecided |
| St. Pete Polls | November 2, 2014 | 1,834 | ± 2.3% | 46% | 46% | 6% | — | 3% |
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–2, 2014 | 1,198 | ± 2.8% | 44% | 44% | 6% | — | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling | November 1–2, 2014 | 1,198 | ± 2.8% | 46% | 47% | — | — | 7% |
| 0ptimus | October 30–November 2, 2014 | 2,559 | ± 2% | 43% | 41% | 10% | — | 6% |
| Quinnipiac University | October 28–November 2, 2014 | 817 | ± 3.4% | 41% | 42% | 7% | 1% | 9% |
| Quinnipiac University | October 28–November 2, 2014 | 817 | ± 3.4% | 42% | 44% | — | 3% | 11% |
| Zogby Analytics | October 28–31, 2014 | 688 | ± 3.8% | 38% | 45% | 8% | — | 9% |
| YouGov | October 25–31, 2014 | 1,795 | ± 2.7% | 41% | 41% | — | 5% | 13% |
| SEA Polling | October 29–30, 2014 | 1,300 | ± 2.7% | 46% | 44% | 4% | — | 6% |
| SEA Polling | October 28–29, 2014 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 45% | 43% | 5% | — | 7% |
| Cherry Communications | October 27–29, 2014 | 508 | ± 4% | 44% | 39% | 4% | — | 13% |
| University of Florida | October 24–28, 2014 | 850 | ± 3.1% | 36% | 36% | 6% | — | 20% |
| Quinnipiac University | October 22–27, 2014 | 817 | ± 3.4% | 40% | 43% | 8% | — | 9% |
| Quinnipiac University | October 22–27, 2014 | 817 | ± 3.4% | 42% | 45% | — | 2% | 11% |
| 0ptimus | October 20–26, 2014 | 4,893 | ± 1.4% | 42% | 39% | 12% | — | 7% |
| Gravis Marketing | October 22–24, 2014 | 861 | ± 3% | 42% | 44% | — | — | 14% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | October 16–23, 2014 | 5,422 | ± 2% | 46% | 45% | — | 2% | 7% |
| Quinnipiac University | October 14–20, 2014 | 984 | ± 3.1% | 42% | 42% | 7% | 1% | 8% |
| Quinnipiac University | October 14–20, 2014 | 984 | ± 3.1% | 44% | 44% | — | 2% | 11% |
| Saint Leo University | October 16–19, 2014 | 500 | ± 4.9% | 40% | 43% | 8% | — | 9% |
| Saint Leo University | October 16–19, 2014 | 500 | ± 4.9% | 45% | 45% | — | — | 10% |
| 0ptimus | October 13–19, 2014 | 4,701 | ± 1.5% | 41% | 40% | 12% | — | 7% |
| St. Pete Polls | October 17, 2014 | 1,855 | ± 2.3% | 44% | 45% | 8% | — | 3% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 15–17, 2014 | 1,114 | ± 3% | 47% | 47% | — | 2% | 4% |
| SurveyUSA | October 10–13, 2014 | 566 | ± 4.2% | 41% | 45% | 7% | — | 7% |
| CNN/ORC | October 9–13, 2014 | 610 LV | ± 4% | 44% | 44% | 9% | — | 4% |
| CNN/ORC | October 9–13, 2014 | 850 RV | ± 3.5% | 40% | 42% | 10% | — | 8% |
| Gravis Marketing | October 11–12, 2014 | 1,023 | ± 3% | 44% | 42% | — | — | 14% |
| University of Florida | October 7–12, 2014 | 781 | ± 3.2% | 40% | 40% | 6% | — | 7% |
| 0ptimus | October 6–12, 2014 | 6,384 | ± 1.3% | 39% | 41% | 13% | — | 8% |
| St. Pete Polls | October 8–11, 2014 | 3,128 | ± 1.8% | 45% | 44% | 8% | — | 3% |
| University of North Florida | September 29–October 8, 2014 | 471 | ± 4.74% | 38% | 43% | 10% | <1% | 9% |
| University of North Florida | September 29–October 8, 2014 | 471 | ± 4.74% | 42% | 47% | — | 2% | 9% |
| SurveyUSA | October 2–6, 2014 | 594 | ± 4.1% | 42% | 44% | 6% | — | 8% |
| 0ptimus | September 29–October 5, 2014 | 6,494 | ± 1.2% | 39% | 40% | 13% | — | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 3–4, 2014 | 1,161 | ± 2.9% | 43% | 45% | 8% | — | 5% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | September 20–October 1, 2014 | 5,689 | ± 2% | 47% | 44% | — | 1% | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 26–29, 2014 | 588 | ± 4.1% | 40% | 46% | 8% | — | 6% |
| 0ptimus | September 22–28, 2014 | 3,356 | ± 1.7% | 40% | 41% | 11% | — | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 19–22, 2014 | 588 | ± 4.1% | 43% | 42% | 4% | — | 11% |
| Quinnipiac University | September 17–22, 2014 | 991 | ± 3.1% | 44% | 42% | 8% | 1% | 5% |
| Quinnipiac University | September 17–22, 2014 | 991 | ± 3.1% | 46% | 44% | — | 2% | 7% |
| Cherry Communications | September 18–21, 2014 | 813 | ± 3.5% | 43% | 39% | 4% | 5% | 7% |
| 0ptimus | September 15–21, 2014 | 6,079 | ± 1.3% | 41% | 41% | 11% | — | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | September 12–15, 2014 | 571 | ± 4.2% | 44% | 39% | 7% | — | 9% |
| 0ptimus | September 8–14, 2014 | 3,660 | ± 1.7% | 41% | 40% | 8% | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 8–10, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 3% | 40% | 42% | — | — | 18% |
| SurveyUSA | September 5–8, 2014 | 576 | ± 4.2% | 45% | 44% | 3% | — | 8% |
| Associated Industries | September 4–7, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 47% | 41% | — | — | 12% |
| AIF Political Operations | September 4–7, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 43% | 40% | 5% | — | 12% |
| AIF Political Operations | September 4–7, 2014 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 46% | 40% | — | — | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 4–7, 2014 | 818 | ± 3.8% | 39% | 42% | 8% | — | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 4–7, 2014 | 818 | ± 3.8% | 41% | 44% | — | — | 14% |
| 0ptimus | September 1–7, 2014 | 4,386 | ± 1.5% | 42% | 40% | 8% | — | 10% |
| Mason-Dixon | September 2–4, 2014 | 625 | ± 4% | 43% | 41% | 4% | 1% | 11% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | August 18–September 2, 2014 | 5,962 | ± 2% | 46% | 43% | — | 4% | 8% |
| University of Florida | August 27–31, 2014 | 814 | ± 3.4% | 41% | 36% | 6% | — | 17% |
| University of Florida | August 27–31, 2014 | 814 | ± 3.4% | 44% | 38% | — | — | 19% |
| SurveyUSA | August 27–28, 2014 | 580 | ± 4.2% | 43% | 45% | 4% | — | 7% |
| Gravis Marketing | August 14–24, 2014 | 859 | ± 4% | 37% | 37% | — | — | 26% |
| 0ptimus | August 18–24, 2014 | 9,333 | ± 1% | 42% | 39% | 9% | — | 11% |
| SurveyUSA | August 15–18, 2014 | 564 | ± 4.2% | 44% | 41% | 4% | 8% | 4% |
| 0ptimus | August 11–17, 2014 | 12,812 | ± 0.9% | 44% | 41% | — | — | 15% |
| Cherry Communications | August 10–13, 2014 | 627 | ± 4% | 41% | 35% | — | 4% | 20% |
| Cherry Communications | August 10–13, 2014 | 627 | ± 4% | 44% | 41% | — | — | 15% |
| SurveyUSA | July 31–August 4, 2014 | 576 | ± 4.2% | 45% | 43% | — | 8% | 4% |
| 0ptimus | July 28–August 3, 2014 | 4,714 | ± 1.5% | 45% | 44% | — | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 29–30, 2014 | 900 | ± 3% | 42% | 41% | — | 8% | 9% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | July 5–24, 2014 | 6,873 | ± ? | 48% | 43% | — | 4% | 5% |
| Quinnipiac University | July 17–21, 2014 | 1,251 | ± 2.8% | 37% | 39% | 9% | 1% | 15% |
| Quinnipiac University | July 17–21, 2014 | 1,251 | ± 2.8% | 40% | 45% | — | 2% | 12% |
| SurveyUSA | July 17–21, 2014 | 564 | ± 4.2% | 40% | 46% | — | 8% | 6% |
| Hart/North Star | June 26–July 6, 2014 | 1,202 | ± 3.5% | 47% | 40% | — | — | 13% |
| SurveyUSA | June 30–July 4, 2014 | 558 | ± 4.2% | 45% | 43% | — | 7% | 5% |
| Gravis Marketing | June 20–23, 2014 | 1,232 | ± 3% | 41% | 39% | 6% | — | 15% |
| SurveyUSA | June 20–23, 2014 | 541 | ± 4.3% | 42% | 41% | — | 8% | 8% |
| Cherry Communications | June 11, 2014 | 806 | ± 3.5% | 41% | 38% | 4% | — | 17% |
| SurveyUSA | June 5–10, 2014 | 556 | ± 4.2% | 40% | 44% | — | 8% | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 6–9, 2014 | 672 | ± 3.8% | 42% | 42% | — | — | 16% |
| Saint Leo University | May 28–June 4, 2014 | 500 | ± 5% | 43% | 41% | — | — | 16% |
| SurveyUSA | May 20–22, 2014 | 531 | ± 4.3% | 42% | 40% | — | 9% | 8% |
| SurveyUSA | May 9–12, 2014 | 554 | ± 4.2% | 41% | 44% | — | 7% | 8% |
| McLaughlin & Associates | May 4–6, 2014 | 800 | ± 3.4% | 42% | 38% | — | — | 20% |
| Quinnipiac University | April 23–28, 2014 | 1,413 | ± 2.6% | 38% | 48% | — | 2% | 12% |
| Gravis Marketing | April 23–25, 2014 | 907 | ± 3% | 44% | 43% | 5% | — | 9% |
| SurveyUSA | April 2014 | ? | ± 4.3% | 41% | 44% | — | 6% | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 21–22, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 39% | 45% | — | 6% | 10% |
| Mason-Dixon | April 15–17 & 21–22, 2014 | 700 | ± 3.8% | 42% | 42% | 4% | — | 12% |
| Magellan Strategies | April 14–15, 2014 | 868 | ± 3.33% | 45% | 43% | — | 5% | 7% |
| SurveyUSA | April 10–14, 2014 | 502 | ± 4.5% | 41% | 46% | — | 7% | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 1–3, 2014 | 814 | ± 3.1% | 42% | 49% | — | — | 10% |
| Sunshine State News | March 31–April 3, 2014 | 800 | ± 3.46% | 45% | 44% | — | 1% | 10% |
| Saint Leo University | March 16–19, 2014 | 500 | ± 5.0% | 39% | 43% | — | — | 18% |
| University of North Florida | March 6–16, 2014 | 507 | ± 4.35% | 33% | 34% | — | 17% | 17% |
| University of Florida | January 27–February 1, 2014 | 1,006 | ± 3% | 40% | 47% | — | — | 13% |
| Gravis Marketing | January 30–31, 2014 | 808 | ± 4% | 44% | 47% | 3% | — | 6% |
| Quinnipiac University | January 22–27, 2014 | 1,565 | ± 2.5% | 38% | 46% | — | — | 16% |
| Hamilton Strategies | January 14–20, 2014 | 700 | ± 3.8% | 44% | 49% | — | — | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 16–21, 2014 | 591 | ± 4% | 41% | 43% | — | — | 15% |
| Saint Leo University | December 1–8, 2013 | 400 | ± 5% | 34% | 46% | — | — | 20% |
| Fabrizio McLaughlin | November 24–26, 2013 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 45% | 49% | — | — | 6% |
| Quinnipiac University | November 12–17, 2013 | 1,646 | ± 2.4% | 40% | 47% | — | 2% | 12% |
| Gravis Marketing | November 8–10, 2013 | 932 | ± 3% | 36% | 46% | — | — | 19% |
| University of North Florida | September 30–October 8, 2013 | 526 | ± 4.27% | 40% | 44% | — | 2% | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 27–29, 2013 | 579 | ± 4.1% | 38% | 50% | — | — | 12% |
| St. Pete Polls | August 1–2, 2013 | 3,034 | ± 1.8% | 30% | 40% | 9% | — | 22% |
| Quinnipiac University | June 11–16, 2013 | 1,176 | ± 2.9% | 37% | 47% | — | 2% | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 500 | ± 5.4% | 40% | 52% | — | — | 8% |
| Quinnipiac University | March 13–18, 2013 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 34% | 50% | — | 1% | 15% |
| Hamilton Strategies | January 30–February 4, 2013 | 600 | ± 4% | 41% | 41% | — | — | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 39% | 53% | — | — | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | August 31–September 2, 2012 | 1,548 | ± 2.5% | 42% | 45% | — | — | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 26–29, 2012 | 871 | ± 3.3% | 41% | 44% | — | — | 15% |
| Public Policy Polling | November 28–December 1, 2011 | 700 | ± 3.7% | 32% | 55% | — | — | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 22–25, 2011 | 476 | ± 4.5% | 38% | 51% | — | — | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 16–19, 2011 | 848 | ± 3.4% | 34% | 56% | — | — | 10% |
With Scott
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott (R) | Buddy Dyer (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 41% | 37% | — | 23% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott (R) | Pam Iorio (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 50 | ± 5.4% | 37% | 44% | — | 19% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 39% | 43% | — | 19% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott (R) | Bill Nelson (D) | Other | Undecided |
| University of Florida | January 27–February 1, 2014 | 1,006 | ± 3% | 42% | 46% | — | 12% |
| Fabrizio McLaughlin | November 24–26, 2013 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 46% | 48% | — | 6% |
| Quinnipiac University | June 11–16, 2013 | 1,176 | ± 2.9% | 38% | 48% | 1% | 13% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott (R) | Nan Rich (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Quinnipiac University | July 17–21, 2014 | 1,251 | ± 2.8% | 41% | 34% | 4% | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 6–9, 2014 | 672 | ± 3.8% | 40% | 34% | — | 25% |
| Saint Leo University | May 28–June 4, 2014 | 500 | ± 5% | 44% | 31% | — | 25% |
| Quinnipiac University | April 23–28, 2014 | 1,413 | ± 2.6% | 42% | 36% | 3% | 19% |
| Saint Leo University | March 16–19, 2014 | 500 | ± 5% | 40% | 32% | — | 28% |
| University of Florida | January 27–February 1, 2014 | 1,006 | ± 3% | 41% | 36% | — | 23% |
| Quinnipiac University | January 22–27, 2014 | 1,565 | ± 2.5% | 41% | 37% | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 16–21, 2014 | 591 | ± 4% | 40% | 34% | — | 25% |
| Saint Leo University | December 1–8, 2013 | 400 | ± 5% | 36% | 31% | — | 32% |
| Quinnipiac University | November 12–17, 2013 | 1,646 | ± 2.4% | 43% | 35% | 3% | 19% |
| University of North Florida | September 30–October 8, 2013 | 526 | ± 4.27% | 43% | 28% | 2% | 27% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 27–29, 2013 | 579 | ± 4.1% | 37% | 36% | — | 27% |
| Quinnipiac University | June 11–16, 2013 | 1,176 | ± 2.9% | 42% | 36% | 3% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 500 | ± 5.4% | 42% | 36% | — | 21% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 41% | 37% | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | May 31–June 3, 2012 | 642 | ± 3.9% | 35% | 47% | — | 18% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott (R) | Alex Sink (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | March 15–18, 2013 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 40% | 45% | — | 15% |
| Quinnipiac University | March 13–18, 2013 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 34% | 45% | 1% | 20% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 40% | 47% | — | 14% |
| Public Policy Polling | November 28–December 1, 2011 | 700 | ± 3.7% | 37% | 53% | — | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 22–25, 2011 | 476 | ± 4.5% | 41% | 52% | — | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | June 16–19, 2011 | 848 | ± 3.4% | 35% | 57% | — | 8% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Rick Scott (R) | Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | January 11–13, 2013 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 42% | 44% | — | 14% |
With Putnam
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam (R) | Charlie Crist (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Quinnipiac University | March 13–18, 2013 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 30% | 49% | 1% | 20% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Adam Putnam (R) | Alex Sink (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Quinnipiac University | March 13–18, 2013 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 29% | 37% | 2% | 33% |

### Results

Scott defeated Crist by a slim margin garnering 48% percent of the vote to the former's 47%. With the loss, Crist became the first candidate in Florida history to lose statewide elections as a Democrat, as a Republican, and as an Independent.
2014 Florida gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Rick Scott (incumbent) | 2,865,343 | 48.14% | −0.73% |
| | Democratic | Charlie Crist | 2,801,198 | 47.07% | −0.65% |
| | Libertarian | Adrian Wyllie | 223,356 | 3.75% | +1.44% |
| | Independent | Glenn Burkett | 41,341 | 0.70% | N/A |
| | Independent | Farid Khavari | 20,186 | 0.34% | +0.20% |
| | n/a | Write-ins | 137 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,951,571 | 100.0% | N/A |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

#### Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

* Franklin (largest city: Eastpoint)
* Liberty (largest city: Bristol)
* Madison (Largest city: Madison)

#### Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

* Monroe (largest city: Key West)

#### By congressional district

Scott won 16 of 27 congressional districts, including two held by Democrats, with the remaining 11 going to Crist, including three held by Republicans.
| District | Scott | Crist | Representative |
| 1st | 69.66% | 25.95% | Jeff Miller |
| 2nd | 49.72% | 46.37% | Gwen Graham |
| 3rd | 59.07% | 36.22% | Ted Yoho |
| 4th | 64.31% | 31.09% | Ander Crenshaw |
| 5th | 31.34% | 64.67% | Corrine Brown |
| 6th | 56.32% | 38.5% | Ron DeSantis |
| 7th | 49.82% | 44.13% | John Mica |
| 8th | 53.74% | 40.18% | Bill Posey |
| 9th | 41.63% | 53.17% | Alan Grayson |
| 10th | 51.72% | 42.61% | Daniel Webster |
| 11th | 55.91% | 37.98% | Rich Nugent |
| 12th | 48.36% | 44.32% | Gus Bilirakis |
| 13th | 42.59% | 50.3% | Bill Young |
| 14th | 34.28% | 60.5% | Kathy Castor |
| 15th | 51.13% | 41.83% | Dennis Ross |
| 16th | 49.94% | 43.95% | Vern Buchanan |
| 17th | 54.82% | 38.43% | Tom Rooney |
| 18th | 47.89% | 47.87% | Patrick Murphy |
| 19th | 60.88% | 35.48% | Trey Radel |
| 20th | 16.48% | 81.48% | Alcee Hastings |
| 21st | 34.69% | 62.58% | Ted Deutch |
| 22nd | 41.31% | 55.72% | Lois Frankel |
| 23rd | 34.55% | 62.74% | Debbie Wasserman Schultz |
| 24th | 12.29% | 86.21% | Frederica Wilson |
| 25th | 55.7% | 41.67% | Mario Díaz-Balart |
| 26th | 46.41% | 50.74% | Carlos Curbelo |
| 27th | 47.99% | 49.54% | Ileana Ros-Lehtinen |