Florida Cuban Americans Lean GOP in New Poll

A new Florida International University survey finds strong support for Republican candidates among South Florida voters.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Political Parties

Florida Cuban Americans Lean GOP in New Poll

Live Poll

Do you prioritize party alignment over specific policy disagreements when deciding which candidate to support?

A Florida International University poll reveals that 68% of Cuban Americans intend to support the GOP in the upcoming midterm election. Despite this partisan preference, 76% of respondents in South Florida disapprove of the deportation policies enacted by the Trump administration.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the complex political landscape in Florida, where support for Republican candidates persists despite notable opposition to specific administration policies. The data suggests that party identification remains a powerful driver for Cuban American voters heading into the midterms.

The FIU survey shows 51% support for Senator Ashley Moody compared to 26% for Democrat Angie Nixon, with 44% remaining undecided. Additionally, 60% of respondents support Republican Rep. Byron Donalds for governor, while 24% favor Democrat David Jolly.

The players

Ashley Moody

Ashley Moody is the Republican Senator who currently holds 51% support among surveyed Cuban Americans.

Angie Nixon

Angie Nixon is the Democratic candidate in the Senate race currently polling at 26% support.

Byron Donalds

Byron Donalds is the Republican Representative currently polling at 60% support for the gubernatorial race.

David Jolly

David Jolly is the Democratic candidate for governor currently polling at 24% support.

Florida International University

Florida International University is the public research institution that conducted the political preference poll.

The details

The survey underscores a divide where voters express loyalty to Republican candidates while simultaneously rejecting specific measures regarding the deportation of Cubans who lack criminal records. These findings provide a snapshot of voter sentiment as the state approaches the final days of the election cycle.

October 28, 2026: Article publication date.
November 1, 2026: Early voting ends at 7 p.m.
November 3, 2026: Election Day.

Political Context

The current poll data serves as an update to the trends observed during the 2024 FIU poll, which established a historical high for GOP support among Cuban American voters. These findings reflect how established voting patterns are currently being challenged or reinforced by opposition to specific administration policies.

Voters should be aware that early voting concludes on November 1 at 7 p.m. across sites in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The significant portion of undecided voters may make the final days of the campaign critical for local campaign outreach and voter turnout efforts.

The takeaway

The data demonstrates that Cuban American voters often balance party loyalty against specific policy disagreements with the administration. Recognizing this nuanced stance is essential for understanding the shifting political dynamics in South Florida.