USF's school of Public Affairs and Neilsen's annual Sunshine State Survey was released Thursday. The annual survey checks up on how Floridians feel about a variety issues.
USF Political Scientist Susan MacManus said Floridians believe unemployment is still the most important issue the state faces.
"The economy and job is still number one, the third of the respondents identified that. But, the number is actually declined," she said. "If you were to look at the graphs you would see a little bit of a slippage, people are getting a little bit better feeling about the economy. But, it's still a very dominant thing."
MacManus said the results show education is the second most important issue, even though concern has doubled from 2012 results.
She said Floridians believe politics more than race, religion, gender, age, sexual preference, or citizenship status is the biggest divide in Florida.
"Not surprising, but really interesting to see how powerful the political divide is in term of the public perception," she said. "That things can't be resolved because of partisan differences, as well as the gap between elected officials and the average citizen."
MacManus said the new Sunshine Survey results show Floridians are looking for integrity and honesty in their leaders.
