Kelly Hayes
While more than half of Floridians approve of the job Gov. Ron DeSantis is doing as the state’s leader, Florida’s GOP-led Legislature is having difficulty drawing the same support.
That’s according to a recent poll commissioned by Florida Politics and conducted by St. Pete Polls. The study polled 1,614 registered Florida voters from Feb. 24-25, with a 2.4% margin of error.
The poll found that 54% of respondents approved of the job DeSantis is doing as Governor, while 38% disapprove, and another 8% are unsure. That approval rating seems to be in line with recent polling from the University of North Florida, which found DeSantis as the choice of 55% of 685 registered voters polled between Feb. 7 and Feb. 20. Democratic opponents U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist mustered 34% support against DeSantis, and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried drew just 32% backing.
To no surprise, DeSantis received his highest approval numbers from fellow Republicans — 83% of whom said they approved of his job, as opposed to the 13% who disapprove. A majority of independent voters also showed approval for the Governor at 58%, with 34% disapproving and 9% remaining unsure.
Democrats, on the other hand, gave DeSantis a 21% approval rate, and a 67% disapproval rate, with 12% unsure how they feel.
As far as the demographic breakdown, non-Hispanic Whites show the most support for the Governor, with nearly two-thirds of those polled approving, and roughly one-third disapproving. DeSantis garnered the least support among Black Floridians, with 21% supporting the Governor’s work and 66% disapproving, while 13% remain unsure.
Hispanic Florida voters, however, are torn on DeSantis. Of those polled, 52% of Hispanic Floridians approve of DeSantis, 41% disapprove, and 9% are unsure, leaving a gap DeSantis could tap into 2022.
Despite the Republican Governor raking in overall positive approval rates, the GOP-led Legislature isn’t seeing as much support.
The poll found 37% of Floridians approved of the job the Florida Legislature is doing this Session, while 35% disapprove. Another 27% remain unsure.
While the approval rate is slightly higher than the disapproval rate, the Legislature fails to mirror the same level of support as the Governor, even among Republicans. The response breakdown showed that among the Republicans polled, 55% approved of the job the Legislature is doing this year, while 16% disapprove and 30% remain unsure.
For Democrats, 19% approved, 57% disapproved and 25% reported being unsure. Independent voters, who notably showed over 60% support for DeSantis, reported a 38% approval rate for the Legislature, along with a 33% disapproval rate with 29% remaining unsure.
The race breakdown also showed more opposition across all different demographics. Hispanic and White respondents reported the highest legislative approval rate at 40%; however, Hispanic respondents reported higher disapproval rates at 38%, compared to 32% of White respondents. Of White respondents, 28% were unsure, while 22% of Hispanic respondents were unsure.
Black respondents had the highest disapproval rating of the Legislature at 47%, with only 21% of Black respondents approving, and 32% unsure.
The pushback on the Legislature could be a result of recent controversial legislation pushed by GOP-legislative leaders.
A recent poll from the University of North Florida found 49% of respondents oppose HB 1557, a piece of legislation dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Another 40% support it, either somewhat or strongly.
Republicans frame the bill (HB 1557), sponsored by Republican Rep. Joe Harding, and a similar Senate version (SB 1834), as a parental rights issue. It would stop teachers from encouraging discussions about these issues “in a way that is age or developmentally inappropriate.” The bills were passing through committees with party-line approvals as the PORL poll was taken, and it has since cleared the House.
Among Republicans, 44% strongly approve of the legislation, compared to 19% of Democrats. When considering responses among the different races/ethnicities, Whites and Hispanics were similarly strongly in favor of the legislation (32%). Among those who identified as Black, just 26% felt that way.
13 comments
Tom
February 27, 2022 at 8:13 pm
This is a set up for a landslide for America’s Governor! His numbers are overwhelming, across the board. He does have coattails, like Jax city council race. His support carried victory.
DeSantis is America’s Gov, working with the legislature will help him achieve goals. He needs to turn support to legislation.
DeSantis is the next leader!
Tom
February 27, 2022 at 11:20 pm
This survey reaffirms America’s Governors committed support.
58% of independents support him.
A heathy 52% of Hispanics support him, with more support avail. His Repub. party support will be over 90% support, the U NF poll had his party support higher.
Between Repub.., Hispanics and independents he’s in a very strong position for a blow out re elect.
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February 27, 2022 at 9:13 pm
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PeterH
February 28, 2022 at 12:17 am
When you factor in the margin of error and the 8% undecided……DeSantis is in no better shape than when he won the last time by less than 1%.
Floridians will review DeSantis’s COVID response and understand that per capita more Floridians died than per capita died in California.
78% of women do not want government interference with their right to chose abortion and privacy. DeSantis wants to advance more restrictions.
On and on. This is not over until it’s over. Is there another candidate out there? The ballot box and Florida voters get the final say.
Tom
February 28, 2022 at 6:58 am
Idiocy strikes again with peter h.
24% and 21% of Dems supporting him. Oh when you lie, deceive and factor that all the undecided along with margin goes against him, you get the idiot award as usual.
Three polls in a row reflect landslide proportion support for America’s Gov.
Extremists don’t have a clue or chance. DeSantis has popular sector support across all levels.
Biden’s abysmal showing will decapitate Dems, Bidens 36% approval is atrocious. Dems won’t be involved in Florida. The base vote has collapsed, as a political scientist we are going to see a overwhelming anti Biden, Dem turnout. DeSantis enjoys Dems support, independents, Hispanics, suburban moms, working families. Avalanche
Karen Brandon
March 4, 2022 at 3:56 pm
DeSantis got elected by licking the boots of Trump and is just as big a boorish jerk as Trump is. God help us if he gets into the Presidency.
Watch the video of him scolding HIGH SCHOOL KIDS for wearing masks to protect HIM on his visit. hat an ASS.
PeterH
March 4, 2022 at 4:50 pm
DeSantis’s criticism of our precious NATO ally France will keep him out of the White House!
We will destroy what remains of Trumpism in our great country.
Christine T Leviton
March 9, 2022 at 9:01 am
He wasnt scolding them. He just wanted them to know how unnecessary they are.
He has doctors researching all the Covid info, which you must know by now is mostly wrong. The CDC and Fauci have duped
All of you fir over 2 years. And the truth is coming out.
Look at Biden and his spurts of anger!! At almost every meeting that he has.
Jared I
March 4, 2022 at 6:23 pm
Check it out. Florida has about 50% more deaths from covid than California thanks to his poor decisions but great BS. Obviously he can’t tell the difference between verified science and comic books and cares less about Floridians health than getting elected.
Cynthua Rusche
March 4, 2022 at 6:34 pm
His only concern is to be elected for president. He does not care about Florida. His response to the high school students wearing masks was obscene. He can’t tell them what to do. The worst governor ever!
Jennifer H.
March 10, 2022 at 10:39 am
People moving to FL like roaches will sooner or later find out what this “wonderful” governor is doing – Anyone trying to be successful by “bashing ” the government, CDC, school board, or by simply bashing others won’t’ get ahead. He’s an example of “do what I say but don’t do what I do: He doesn’t care about Florida at all.
Bob D
March 11, 2022 at 6:44 pm
Am I allowed to use the word “GAY” here?
Carol Hunter
March 12, 2022 at 5:13 am
DeSantis has marginalized African Americans and the LGBT community. He has stifled teachers in terms of what they can teach in schools. Death Santis has spread lies throughout the pandemic and is now telling parents their kids should not be vaccinated. He is a blowhard with high political ambition. I pray he is stopped before he unleashes his sinister agenda across America.
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