Donald Trump could be poised to deal the fatal blow to Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign Tuesday.
The New York real estate magnate is leading the senator by double digits, 44%-27%, among likely Republican voters in Rubio’s home state of Florida, a new Monmouth University Poll found.
If the vote goes that way in the primary Tuesday, it’s unclear if Rubio will be able to continue. The margin between them had been only 8 percentage points in a Monmouth survey a week ago.
“Florida is do or die for the Rubio campaign, but it looks like victory may have slipped from his grasp,” Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth poll, said.
To add insult to injury, the pollsters found Trump garnering support even from Floridians who approve of the job Rubio is doing in the Senate. Among those who strongly approve of Rubio, 20% are backing Trump, and among those who somewhat approve, 33% support Trump.
“Florida Republicans seem to be saying that Rubio has done a decent job in his current position, but not good enough to earn a promotion,” Murray said.
The Monmouth results are in line with other recent polls in the state, which have consistently shown Trump trouncing Rubio by double digits.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is a distant third in the Monmouth poll with 17% and Ohio Gov. John Kasich brings up the rear with 9%.
Rubio has been furiously campaigning in Florida, and in an unorthodox move on Friday, his campaign actually encouraged his supporters in Ohio to vote Kasich in an effort to deny Trump a win in that state.
Tuesday could mark one of the most important dates in the nominating calendar. Ohio and Florida have winner-take-all contests with a total of 165 delegates up for grabs. Florida is the biggest prize with 99 delegates. Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina also have primaries Tuesday with a combined 193 delegates at stake.
