Trump nears 50 percent in Florida poll

Donald Trump is leading in Florida with 48 percent of the GOP vote, according to a poll released Wednesday.

Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) follows in second with 16 percent, with Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) at 11 percent support and former Gov. Jeb Bush (Fla.) at 9.5 percent, the survey from Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative found.

{mosads}Since November, Trump has surged about 12 points in Florida, according to the poll. Cruz has gained 6 points.

In a general election matchup, Trump has 47 percent of the vote, leading Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton who takes 44 percent.

The FAU poll was conducted from Jan. 15 to 18.

The poll is the latest boost to Trump who is topping the GOP field nationally.

According to a Monmouth University survey released Wednesday, Trump leads the race with 36 percent support nationally, with Cruz in second place with 17 percent. The two are locked in a tight race in the first voting state of Iowa, though.