Poll: Bachmann surges to second place in Florida, Romney leads

Chris Moody
·Political Reporter

Things are looking up for Michele Bachmann in Florida.

The Minnesota Tea Party favorite climbed to second place in the Sunshine State, behind Mitt Romney and tied with Sarah Palin, according to a Public Policy Polling survey released today.

Sharing the current slot with Palin at 17 percent, Bachmann surged ten points from PPP's last Florida poll in March. At that point Bachmann had not declared her candidacy, although rumors were swirling at the time that she would announce a bid.

Bachmann's strongest base of support comes from voters furthest to the right, PPP Director Tom Jensen said.

"Her strength comes from leading the field with 'very conservative' voters at 21 percent, followed by Palin at 20 percent, and Romney at 18 percent," Jensen writes. "If you take Palin out of the mix, Bachmann picks up 37 percent of her supporters to 20 percent for Romney."

Bachmann is expected to make her official announcement Monday in Waterloo, Iowa.

(Photo of Bachmann: JD Pooley/AP)