Marco Rubio's Lead Over Patrick Murphy Widens At 50% To 44%

Incumbent Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has opened a 6-point lead over his Democratic challenger, U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy, according to a Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll released on Thursday.

Rubio's lead over Murphy has widened by four more points to 50 to 44 percent in the November 3rd poll, compared to an October 18th poll when Rubio had 49 percent to Murphy's 47 percent;

The Republican Senator leads 51 - 43 percent among women likely voters and garners 49 percent of men to Murphy's 46 percent. White voters back Rubio 58 - 37 percent, while non-white voters go to Murphy 59 - 37 percent. Florida early voters tip to Murphy over Rubio 50 - 45 percent.

Rubio leads 87 - 7 percent among Republicans and 54 - 38 percent among independent voters. Democrats back Murphy 83 - 15 percent.

"Candidates with a 16-point lead among independent voters rarely lose, and Senator Rubio, who has that edge over U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, appears to be pulling away from the challenger. But anything is possible," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.