A new poll shows Donald Trump now leads Hillary Clinton among Florida voters.
The Quinnipiac University Poll finds Trump with a 3 percent lead over Clinton, 42 to 39 percent. Just over three weeks ago the presumed Democratic presidential nominee had an eight point lead over the billionaire real estate mogul in Florida.
The numbers are even worse for Clinton when third party candidates are added into the race. Trump receives 41 percent support; Clinton, 36 percent. Libertarian Gary Johnson gets 7 percent of the vote with 4 percent going to Green party candidate Jill Stein.
Pollsters believe Clinton's apparent lack of morals is hurting hurt her in the Sunshine State.
"While there is no definite link between Clinton's drop in Florida and the U.S. Justice Department's decision not to prosecute her for her handling of emails, she has lost ground to Trump on questions which measure moral standards and honesty," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
By a margin of 50 to 37 percent, the poll finds Floridians believe Trump is more honest and trustworthy than Clinton. That is up from 43 to 40 percent on June 21.
Both candidates receive high negative favorability ratings from Florida voters (Clinton 35 positive, 59 negative; Trump 38 positive, 54 negative).
The poll finds Florida voters believe Clinton is better prepared to be president and more intelligent. On the other hand, voters say Trump would be better on issues like job creation, immigration and fighting ISIS terrorists.
One thing that is hurting the presumed Republican presidential nominee is his apparent inability to draw in a diverse electorate.
"In Florida, Donald Trump is getting only 21 percent of the non-white vote," said Brown. "Although he is winning among white voters, who are mainly Republicans, victory in Florida will be a very difficult life for him if he can't do better among non-white voters."
Quinnipiac University also polled voters in the swing states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Trump and Clinton remain tied in Ohio. In Pennsylvania, Trump now leads by 2 percent after trailing by 1 percent just three weeks ago.
The poll was conducted June 30 to July 11 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent in Florida. To see the full results, go to www.qu.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/2016-presidential-swing-state-polls/release-detail?ReleaseID=2365
