Internal poll shows Leela Gray in statistical tie with Anna Paulina Luna

A new Democratic internal poll shows Leela Gray in a statistical tie with incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.

Public Policy Polling found Luna’s approval ratings are negative in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. The incumbent leads Gray, the leading Democratic challenger, by 41% to 39%, a margin within the poll’s 4% margin of error.

“The race is essentially a tie despite a large gap in name recognition. Among all voters, Luna enjoys a 47-point name recognition advantage,” reads a polling memo from PPP analyst Jim Williams.

“Despite Luna’s familiarity, Gray is down 2 points in the head-to-head matchup 39% to 41, within the poll’s margin of error. Among independent voters, Luna holds an even larger 54-point name recognition advantage. Yet Gray is beating Luna by 10 points among these swing voters, 39%-29%.”

Luna, a Pinellas Republican, has a negative job approval rating, with 41% disapproving and 39% approving of her performance. Her personal ratings are lower, with 42% viewing her negatively and 36% positively.

The poll also indicates President Donald Trump has low approval among voters in CD 13, with 39% approving of his job performance and 56% disapproving, resulting in a net negative rating of 17 percentage points.

Pollsters also conducted an informed poll, providing voters with Gray’s background as a retired Brigadier General and other biographical details. Following this, voters favored Gray over Luna, 44% to 40%. Gray’s lead among independent voters increased to 19 percentage points, 48% to 29%.

The poll was conducted on May 19 and 20 and included responses from 616 registered voters in the District.

Gray’s campaign cited the poll as evidence that the District could shift from Republican to Democratic control this November.

“Families across Florida are doing everything right and still falling behind. They’re watching grocery bills climb, insurance rates explode, and basic necessities become harder and harder to afford, all while feeling abandoned by the people sent to Washington to fight for them,” Gray said.

“Instead of delivering for this District, Congresswoman Luna has chosen political stunts, chaos, and self-promotion over the people she represents. Floridians are ready for new leadership rooted in service over self. I spent 30 years serving this country in uniform, and I’m running for Congress to bring that same mission-first leadership to Washington and fight for the families who have been ignored for far too long.”