Whitmer’s Overall Approval Under 50% But Still Not Horrible

A new poll indicates Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s overall approval rating has hit a new pandemic low of 49%, according to the left-leaning group Progress Michigan, which commissioned the survey.

The poll was conducted by a liberal-leaning North Carolina firm on May 5-6, with 820 registered Michigan voters responding. It found 43% who strongly disapproved of Whitmer's job performance and 6% who somewhat disapproved, while 38% strongly approved and 11% somewhat approved.

In April 2020, the same firm found that 54% of those surveyed approved of Whitmer’s performance while 34% disapproved and 12% were not sure.

The governor’s overall rating for her handling of the coronavirus epidemic was positive at 51% to 47%. But the number who “strongly disapproved” was 40%, barely more than the 39% who “strongly approved.”

However, Whitmer still holds a higher approval rating than the Michigan Legislature in dealing with the epidemic. According to the poll, 53% disapprove of the Legislature’s performance and only 40% approve.

Attorney General Dana Nessel’s overall approval rating is only one percentage point higher than her disapproval rate, at 41%-40%. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's approval rate is at 45% with a 41% disapproval.