Republican Marco Rubio picked up 2 points in Sunshine State News' overnight tracking poll to widen his lead in the U.S. Senate race.

The latest survey shows Rubio rising from 45 percent on Oct. 16 to 47 percent on Oct. 19 -- his highest standing since daily tracking in the three-way contest began Oct. 6.

By contrast, independent Charlie Crist slipped 3 points to 27 percent and Democrat Kendrick Meek remains stalled at 23 percent.

Rubio's gain this week suggests he benefited -- and Crist suffered -- from their respective performances at the Senate debate, which was televised statewide Tuesday.

Rubio has held a consistent double-digit lead in the Senate contest since Sunshine State News began polling the race immediately after the primary.

Crist's slide in the polls has been noted by political pundits, who said that from the day he fled the Republican Party, his best days were behind him.