A recent poll has revealed that most Floridians are against renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” an idea supported by a Florida Republican and inspired by former President Donald Trump. The survey, conducted by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab, found that 58% of respondents oppose the name change, while only 31% support it.
The proposal, brought forward by Republican state Senator Nick DiCeglie, suggests updating all official Florida documents, maps, and references to reflect the new name. However, the survey indicated opposition across all regions of the state, including North, Central, and South Florida.
Support for Legalizing Cannabis Remains Strong
The same poll showed strong support for legalizing recreational cannabis in Florida. While a 2024 proposed amendment to legalize marijuana fell short of the required 60% approval, 67% of survey respondents now back the idea, with only 32% opposed.
Michael Binder, the director of the poll and a professor at the University of North Florida, noted that cannabis legalization has consistently received high support in the state. “Had the opposition campaign not spent tens of millions of dollars, the measure would have likely passed,” he said.
Abortion Laws Unpopular Among Floridians
Florida’s six-week abortion ban also remains controversial, with 54% of respondents saying the current laws are too restrictive. About 33% believe the laws should remain the same, while only 10% feel they should be stricter.
The survey highlighted political divides on the issue. Most Democrats (80%) and independents (61%) think the abortion laws are too strict. Surprisingly, even 28% of Republicans share the same view.
Property Insurance Tops List of Issues
Despite recent focus on immigration legislation, Floridians view housing and property insurance costs as the state’s most pressing problems. According to the poll, 34% of respondents cited property insurance as the top issue, followed by the economy, jobs, and inflation (21%). Immigration and education trailed behind at 9% each.
Florida Leaders’ Approval Ratings
The poll also gauged approval ratings for prominent political figures:
- Donald Trump: 47% approval, 45% disapproval.
- Ron DeSantis: 48% approval, 43% disapproval.
Looking ahead to the 2026 governor’s race, the poll listed potential Republican candidates, including First Lady Casey DeSantis, Senator Ashley Moody, Representative Byron Donalds, former Representative Matt Gaetz, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
Casey DeSantis received the highest favorability (30%) among the candidates listed, while Gaetz had the highest unfavorable rating at 39%. Many respondents (66%) were unfamiliar with Donalds, and an even larger percentage (79%) had never heard of Simpson.
Conclusion
The survey sheds light on Floridians’ opinions on several key issues, from property insurance and cannabis legalization to abortion laws and political approval ratings. While the idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” may appeal to some, it clearly lacks support among the majority of voters.
Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.
