State Sen. Greg Evers (R-Baker) is currently leading the race to succeed Rep. Jeff Miller as Northwest Florida’s congressional representative, according to a poll released by a group named “Citizens for a Just Government.”
The group, registered as a nonprofit in February, describes itself as a “grassroots advocacy organization” responding to what it calls “increasingly evident institutional corruption in local, state, and national government.”
Miller, who has held the congressional seat since 2001, announced last month that he would not seek re-election.
The poll, conducted March 24–26, surveyed 4,000 likely Republican voters across Florida’s six-county First Congressional District. Results showed Evers ahead with 23.4% support. State Rep. Matt Gaetz followed with 13.2%, while Brian Frazier, Cris Dosev, and Mark Wichern each trailed in single digits.
However, 58% of respondents said they were still undecided, leaving the race wide open.
Evers, who has served nearly 15 years in the Florida legislature, has not officially entered the congressional race. Gaetz announced his candidacy the previous month and reported raising $350,000 within the first 10 days of his campaign.
According to the poll, 33% of voters held a favorable or very favorable opinion of Evers, with 13% viewing him unfavorably. For Gaetz, the favorable/unfavorable numbers were 17.2% and 18.6%, respectively. Still, a majority of voters held neutral or no opinion: 53.9% for Evers and 64.2% for Gaetz.
So far, five Republicans — Gaetz, Frazier, Dosev, Wichern, and John Mills — have filed to run for the open seat. Democrat Amanda Kondrat’yev of Pensacola is also a declared candidate.
Mills, who filed his candidacy on March 25, was not included in the Citizens for a Just Government poll.
Little is known about the organization behind the poll. The listed address on their registration corresponds to a Pensacola residence owned by accountant Brian Tucker. The group’s registered agent is Tallahassee attorney Emmett Mitchell IV.