Barely two months into their administrations, several newly-elected politicians have seen their approval ratings plummet due to early missteps or controversial policies.

 

For several Republican governors embarked on tough budget-cutting blueprints that include rolling back collective bargaining rights for public employees, the response from voters has been, at best, mixed.

 

In Wisconsin, where Governor Scott Walker has earned the most national press for going after the union powers of state and local workers, a late-February survey by Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling showed that 52% of residents disapprove of his performance and 46% approve. Walker also was shown losing a hypothetical rematch by seven percentage points to the man he beat by five points just last November, Democrat Tom Barrett.

 

In Ohio, Governor John Kasich is off to a rocky start as well. Only 30% of those polled recently by Quinnipiac University approve of Kasich, while 46% disapprove. Kasich beat Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland 49% to 47% in November. Now, a Public Policy Polling fictional rematch shows Kasich getting trounced by Strickland by 15 points.

 

In Michigan, Governor Rick Snyder won by an 18% landslide four months ago, but now would narrowly lose to Democrat Virg Bernero, according to a poll taken by Public Policy Polling. Only 33% say they approve of Snyder’s job to date, while 50% disapprove.

 

Things are little better for Maine’s new gubernatorial chief, Paul LePage, who also has pushed a polarizing set of policies early in his first term. Currently, 43% approve and 48% disapprove of his work so far, according to Public Policy Polling.

 

It isn’t just Republicans who are seeing voters turn against them. The District of Columbia’s top politician, Democratic Mayor Vincent Gray, is struggling too with his constituency. According to a Clarus Poll, Gray’s job approval rating is 31% and his disapproval rating is 40%.

 

Ron Faucheux, president of Clarus Research Group, a nonpartisan survey firm, said of Gray: “Perceptions of the mayor’s ethical standards and his handling of city job appointments are dragging him down.”

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Buyer's Remorse: Polls Show 3 New GOP Gov's Losing in Do Overs (by Jon Terbush, TPM)

Snyder Would Lose Do-Over to Bernero for Michigan Governor (Public Policy Polling) (pdf)

Ohio Women Lead in Disapproval of New Governor, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Oppose Efforts To Curb Unions (Quinnipiac University)

Maine Favors Gay Marriage (Public Policy Polling) (pdf)

Clarus Poll of D.C. Voters: Mayor Gray Posts Negative Job Rating (Clarus Research Group)