July 24 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Senator John Kerry took a lead over President George W. Bush for the presidential race in Florida, according to a poll by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Florida Times-Union.

The poll of 600 likely Florida voters, conducted by polling firm Research 2000, found Kerry led Bush 49 percent to 44 percent in a two-way match up in the nation's largest swing state, according to a Sun-Sentinel report posted on thestate.com Web site. The poll, conducted from July 15 to 19, has a margin of error of 4 percent, the report said.

When independent candidate Ralph Nader's name was added in the survey, Kerry led Bush 47 percent to 44 percent, with 3 percent backing Nader, the report said. A Sun-Sentinel poll in February had shown Bush leading Kerry by 47 percent to 42 percent.

Kerry's support may have been bolstered by his selection of John Edwards as running mate and erosion of support for Bush. The report said the poll results indicate Vice President Dick Cheney was eroding support for the Republicans.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Underhill in Wellington junderhill@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: July 24, 2004 21:32 EDT