MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Just a little less than three months ago, incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) was in a neck and neck race with Republican challenger U.S. Congressman Connie Mack. But since the last poll released by Quinnipiac University, the race has widened quite a bit.

According to the latest Q-Poll, Senator Nelson now leads Congressman Mack by a 44-36 percent margin. Nelson is beating Mack 46-32 percent among women, 80-7 percent among Democrats, and 40-30 percent among independent voters.

Mack leads among Republicans, 75-9 percent, and a full 27 percent of independent voters remain undecided heading into the November general election.

Nelson, as well as President Barack Obama, has been powered in their recent polling upticks by women. As the GOP began focusing on preventing birth control for women and other topics, female voters began to turn sharply towards Obama and the Democrats.

“He (Nelson) is also running better among several groups including whites, Catholics, and voters 50 to 64 years old,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

The lead in the Q-Poll is the largest Nelson has had over Mack since November 2011.