Crist-DeSantis, Rubio-Demings Running Neck and Neck in Races for Governor and US Senate

Two of Florida’s most contested races are very close, according to a new survey conducted by a bipartisan polling team.

For those who think a DeSantis-Rubio win is a sure bet in red-leaning Florida, don’t count the blue candidates out just yet.

That’s because two of the Sunshine State’s most contested races appear to be neck and neck, according to a new poll commissioned by AARP Florida and conducted by bipartisan polling team of Impact Research and Fabrizio Ward.

According to the survey conducted Aug. 24-31, Gov. Ron DeSantis leads Democratic nominee Charlie Crist by 50%-47%, or just three points, while US Sen. Marco Rubio holds a slim two-point edge over US Rep. Val Demings.

But here’s where it gets interesting: In both races, the gap falls within the poll’s margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

RELATED: Is DeSantis Beatable? The GOP’s Own Survey Shows Charlie Crist Leading in the Race for Governor

The responses were culled from 1,626 likely General Election voters, with Republicans making up 40% of the sample compared to a 37% share for Democrats.

Who’s More Popular With the Younger Crowd?

DeSantis’ support comes mainly from voters aged 50-plus (52%-45%), particularly white voters over that age (57%-40%). The incumbent also holds a 4-point advantage among independents.

For his part, Crist has a definite edge with the younger crowd, polling 51%-46% among voters under 50. He also holds a whopping 15-point advantage (56%-41%) among voters with a college degree.

DeSantis and Crist will debate Oct. 12 on a West Palm Beach station. However, the governor declined to participate in the more widely broadcast “Before You Vote” Oct. 20 debate, the longest running in Florida history, and one that would garner national attention.

RELATED: Val Demings to Boricuas: ‘We Can Do Better Than Marco Rubio’

“DeSantis wants people to think he is tough, but you can’t play dress up like a fighter pilot and then chicken out of debates. These are the actions of a wannabe dictator, it’s weak, Floridians see through it, and it’s why we’re going to defeat him,” Crist said in a statement.

Rubio’s Unfavorable Light

In the race for the Senate, where Republican incumbent Marco Rubio will face-off against Democrat US Rep. Val Demings, the issue is the favorability rating, with 52% of likely voters finding Rubio “unfavorable.”

Demings, a former Orlando Police Chief who has been called “a powerhouse like Democrats haven’t had run for Senate in decades,” scored a plus-14, with 42%-28% in the favorability department.

The Issues Driving Voters

The AARP survey also found that the economy is a top concern for older voters in the governor, US Senate races. However, abortion, immigration, Social Security, and Medicare are also ranking high among voters in the Sunshine State.