Poll: Nelson running even against Scott in Florida senate race

Incumbent Sen Bill Nelson (D) was in a statistical dead heat with challenger Gov. Rick Scott (R) in the Florida senate race, according to an NBC News/Marist poll of likely voters released Tuesday. 

{mosads} In the survey of likely voters, 48 percent supported Nelson, while 45 percent supported Scott, and 6 percent remain undecided. That was within the margin of error of plus/minus 4.7 percentage points.

The poll surveyed 600 likely voters on Sept. 16-20.

The NBC/Marist poll contrasted with a survey released by Quinnipiac University earlier showing Nelson leading Scott by 53 – 46 among likely voters.

Nelson has won reelection fairly easily since his first victory in 2001, but Scott has put up a tough challenge, and several polls have shown them in a dead heat. Both candidates were running just about even according to an average of surveys compiled by RealClearPolitics. 

Scott has received criticism recently over his handling of the red algae crisis hitting Florida. 

The algae is considered harmful to humans and has killed thousands of fishes, while seriously harming the state’s tourism industry.