Another day, another new poll, this time from the conservative Bezos Post and the REALLY conservative GMU Schar Center (so don’t anyone even TRY to claim that this is biased towards Democrats!). Here are the highlights:
- “Spanberger, a former congresswoman, leads Earle-Sears, the state’s lieutenant governor, by 12 percentage points, 55 percent to 43 percent, among Virginia’s likely voters in the Nov. 4 election.”
- “Spanberger holds a similar 13-point lead among registered voters overall, who say the economy is by far the most important issue heading into the election.”
- “In the race for lieutenant governor, Democratic state Sen. Ghazala F. Hashmi (Richmond) leads Republican talk radio host John Reid by just four points, 49 percent to 45 percent, among likely voters.”
- “For attorney general, Democratic nominee Jerrauld “Jay” Jones leads Republican incumbent Jason S. Miyares by six points, 51 percent to 45 percent, among likely voters.”
- Spanberger has a 50%-37% (+13 points) favorable rating among registered voters; Earle-Sears is at 38%-42% (-4 points).
- Top issues are Economy/Cost of living/Jobs/Housing 19%; Anti- Republican/Trump/MAGA or pro-Democrat 12%; Education/Schools 11%, etc. Note that policies about transgender students is at just 4%, while abortion is at 5%.
- Trump’s approval/disapproval rating is at 43%-55% (-12 points), while Youngkin’s at 50%-46% (+4 points). Comparing Youngkin to previous governors, Ralph Northam was at 52%-41% (+11 points) in October 2021; Terry McAuliffe was at 51%-27% (+24 points) in May 2017; Bob McDonnell was at 49%-39% (+10 points) in September 2013; Tim Kaine was at 60%-37% (+23 points) in early October 2009; Mark Warner was at 80%-17% (+63 points) in late October 2005; Jim Gilmore was at 62%-33% (+29 points) in late October 2001; George Allen was at 66%-27% (+39 points) in late October 1997. So Youngkin’s got the worst net approval rating of any governor in at least 28 years?
- ” 62 percent say transgender students should be required to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their birth sex, while 28 percent say they should be allowed to use facilities that match their gender identity and 9 percent have no opinion.” BUT “the fact that so few voters mentioned the issue as a top concern suggests that the topic has limited value for the Republican’s campaign.”
- “A majority of Virginia voters opposed some of Trump’s signature policies, with 59 percent opposing tariffs on imported goods and 56 percent opposed to cutting federal jobs. Fifty-three percent oppose Trump’s ordering of National Guard into U.S. cities to reduce crime, and 56 percent oppose Trump’s pressuring Virginia public universities to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. However, a plurality — 49 percent — support finding and deporting undocumented immigrants in Virginia, while 44 percent oppose this and 7 percent offered no opinion.”
Anything else jump out at you in this poll?
********************************************************
