Recent polls have shown that Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson has more supporters than opponents among Florida voters but, despite serving in the Senate for two terms and spending decades on the state’s political stage, he remains an unknown quantity to many voters in the Sunshine State

That gives the field of Republicans looking to challenge him an opportunity.

A poll from Quinnipiac University earlier in the month found that the recent deal over raising the federal debt ceiling hurt Nelson. In a poll taken from July 27-31, before the deal was reached, 45 percent of those surveyed approved of Nelson’s performance while 33 percent disapproved. In a poll taken on Aug. 1 and 2, after the deal was reached, only 42 percent approved of Nelson while those who disapproved stood at 35 percent.This was a step back for Nelson from a poll released by Quinnipiac on May 26, when a majority of Floridians approved of the Democrat. At that time, 51 percent approved of Nelson compared to 24 percent who disapproved.

Nor was this the only poll with bad news for Nelson released this summer. A poll from the Democratic outfit Public Policy Polling taken in late June showed that 38 percent of those surveyed approved of Nelson while 31 percent disapproved. Almost a third -- the remaining 31 percent -- were undecided.

Looking to portray Nelson in an unflattering light, the field of Republican candidates went on the attack this week.

The team behind former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, now running in the Republican primary to challenge Nelson, went on the attack on Friday, bashing Nelson for taking part in a fundraiser hosted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in Lake Tahoe.

“Senate Godfather Harry Reid's latest ‘job’ is under way in Nevada, where he will be hosting a $10,000-a-person party for Bill Nelson and other liberal family members. In exchange for campaign cash, Reid will ask Nelson for some favors that include supporting his aggressive left-wing operation,” wrote Brian Seitchik, LeMieux’s campaign manager, in an e-mail sent out on Friday morning. “Nelson has been a reliable Reid ally for years, spending taxpayer money and serving as a vote for Obamacare, higher taxes, earmarks, and amnesty.”

LeMieux looked to link Nelson to other Democrats besides Reid this week. On Thursday, the former senator unloaded on President Barack Obama and Florida’s senior senator on the economy.

“President Obama and Senator Nelson continue to support policies that are hindering our economic recovery. Together, they continue to create economic uncertainly by failing to lead with clarity, supporting higher taxes, and refusing to solve America’s debt problem,” noted LeMieux. “As a result, we continue to struggle with the worst economy in 70 years, high unemployment, record dips in the stock market, and a downgrading of America’s credit rating. I sincerely hope the president and Senator Nelson reconsider their policies and support initiatives that foster economic growth and encourage job creation.”

Earlier in the week, another Republican hopeful, Craig Miller, the former CEO of Ruth's Chris, rapped Nelson over the Reid fundraiser.

“It is unacceptable that Congress takes vacation for an entire month after it [raising the debt limit] and the president brought the country to the brink of default,” said Miller on Wednesday. “The people I’m talking to on Main Street don’t understand how career politicians like Bill Nelson can reward themselves with time off after they’ve spent over 800 days operating without a budget. They don’t understand how the people in Washington get a break from work, when many of them can’t even find jobs thanks to the policies coming out of Congress.