Poll: Gov. Scott's approval rating on rise

Poll finds Scott still trails Charlie Crist in race for Florida Governor in 2014

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A brand new poll found good and bad news for Florida Gov. Rick Scott

The Quinnipiac University poll released on Tuesday found that 43-percent of voters in Florida approve of the job the Republican governor is doing. That is Gov. Scott's highest rating since taking office.

The poll also found Gov. Scott still trails former Gov. Charlie Crist 47-percent to 37-percent if the two were to face off in 2014.

Crist, who is the Republican-turned independent-turned Democrat, was up 50-percent to 34-percent on March 20.

"It is an indication of how far down Florida Gov. Rick Scott's numbers have been that he can take some solace from a poll that finds him losing by 10 points to his predecessor in the governor's office," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.  "In addition to cutting the deficit between himself and former Gov. Charlie Crist, Gov. Scott sees his tepid job approval and favorability numbers and his still-negative reelection numbers as notably improved." 

The survey also found that U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who some Democrats are pushing to run for governor, tops Scott 48-percent to 38-percent if they were to square off.