Jacob Ogles
For the moment, Florida voters still support the job Gov. Ron DeSantis is doing — including his war on Disney.
New polling from the Florida Atlantic University Mainstreet PolCom Lab shows Floridians remain positive about DeSantis’ work as Governor. About 54% of voters say they approve of “the way Ron DeSantis is handling his job as Governor of Florida.” A strong plurality, 41%, say they strongly approve.
By comparison, 43% disapprove of his job performance, with 34% of voters strongly disapproving.
Only 3% said they had no opinion, a sign both of DeSantis’ enormous name recognition in the state and the polarizing sentiments he inspires.
But with the poll showing a net positive rating of 13 percentage points, he still has the public in his corner.
In particular, he polls well with male voters, with 49% strongly approving of his work compared to 34% of women. But he’s well north of 50% in overall approval with male and female voters.
Older voters also strongly back the Governor, with 46% voicing strong approval just 36% signaling strong disapproval. But even in his weakest age demographic set of 18- to 34-year-olds, DeSantis has 49% of respondents overall voicing approval and 46% disapproving.
And while nearly 72% of Black voters disapprove of the Governor, he has majority support among White and Hispanic voters. The same goes for voters in every income bracket making more than $20,000 a year, and even in those making less than that, 48% of voters support him and just 42% disapprove.
For what it’s worth, DeSantis’ approval rating is better than former President Donald Trump, even though the same poll shows DeSantis losing the Presidential Primary to Trump in both men’s home state.
About 50% of voters in Florida view Trump favorably, 33% strongly so. Meanwhile, 47% view the ex-President unfavorably, with 38% strongly disliking him. That puts Trump just 3 percentage points above water.
As for one of his most polarizing fights, DeSantis still has Florida voters on his side in an ongoing battle with Disney. That said, the public remains more divided on that than the Governor’s overall job performance.
About 47% of those polled say they still support DeSantis more than the Mouse in the war, with 35% strongly backing the Governor. Meanwhile, 43% support Disney, and 33% strongly support the company, numbers closely correlated to DeSantis’ disapproval rating. Some 9% of those surveyed offered no opinion.
There’s strong partisanship behind voters’ opinions. About 62% of Democrats, for example, strongly support Disney over DeSantis. Meanwhile, 64% of Republicans strongly support the Governor.
Independents are split on the matter. Some 42% of voters not identifying with a major party support the Governor’s position on Disney, about 28% strongly so. A similar 42% say Disney is in the right, with 30% of independents strongly siding with Mickey.
28 comments
Joe
July 10, 2023 at 1:14 pm
Florida GQP voters are whipped puppies.
WhatNow
July 10, 2023 at 1:18 pm
The state is elsewhere widely referred to as “FloriDUH” for very good reasons…
Rob Desantos
July 10, 2023 at 1:18 pm
That Disney-DeSaster head to head is within the poll’s margin of error.
Cheesy Floridan
July 12, 2023 at 11:15 am
I think people support Disney more than this poll shows.
Dont Say FLA
July 10, 2023 at 1:19 pm
Good for Floridians who like having Rhonda as Governor, because unless Trump picks Rhonda as Veep, Governor Rhonda is what’s in store them after this GOP Primary is done and Rhonda goes back to the job they did not resign from to run.
I almost feel bad for everybody who will be incurring the wRath of Raging Rhonda, finger pointing everywhere, blaming everyone for their loss, but they asked for it, so I guess they will enjoy it.
Seriously, who thought it would be a good idea to put Loser Rhonda back in the Governor’s seat after their loss? Rhonda is so angry already. Loser Rhonda? Whoa! That’ll be some raging for sure.
Cheesy Floridan
July 12, 2023 at 11:14 am
he ran on the things he had done and his handling of COVID is what got he reelected. he didnt run on what he was going to do in his 2nd term.
My Take
July 15, 2023 at 2:44 am
Two years of LOSER LAME DUCK DeSSantis!
Florida is in for it.
Silly Wabbit
July 10, 2023 at 3:25 pm
They kwazy.
My Take
July 10, 2023 at 3:26 pm
One is reminded of the Ragin’ Cajun’s description of Pennsylvania:
“Philadelphia and Pittsburgh . . . and in between, Alabama.”
One forgets how redneck so much of Flòrida is.
K L
July 10, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Really isn’t it time for anew President that is not Puppet Biden, his bumbling, dementia attitude has made us the laughing stock of the world! Whether you want Trump, DeSantis or someone that can walk and chew gum at the same time, The hate, racism, lies and real criminal activities that have brainwashed some is NOT what America is about. Herd Mentality is becoming a very sorry excuse for not treating others respectful or decently. DeSantis is a very good choice for a President as he does not bow to the political system now in effect and he is younger, which can be a very good thing in moving us forward.
Ocean Joe
July 10, 2023 at 4:23 pm
“He doesn’t bow to the political system now in effect…” That system is a representative democracy, and you point out his worst flaw: an open admiration for totalitarianism.
Saw a guy at the grocery store with a “Joe Biden Sucks” shirt walking around. OK, first amendment. But seriously, KL, all the white trash in the world is not going to get Trump elected again, and your man is waiting in the wings if Trump stumbles. I’ve got no use for Biden, but when you compare what the Republican party has to offer, Biden looks pretty good.
My Take
July 10, 2023 at 5:24 pm
Herd Mentality
=======
Hive Think
PeterH
July 10, 2023 at 4:59 pm
The Florida mentality migration to that of Alabama and Mississippi is moving forward at a very fast pace. Twenty years of failed Republican leadership and policies are taking hold!
Antonio
July 11, 2023 at 11:26 am
And yet more and more people come every year….and are not voting Democrat. Perhaps you should leave if you are unhappy here. I would if I was.
Tom
July 11, 2023 at 11:39 am
I live here despite him. Politicians come and go. People will get sick of his brand of BS soon enough and Florida will go purple again. There is absolutely nothing he has done that makes even the least bit of difference to my life and that of most people I know – that’s his point I guess. You have no policy or leadership ability, then queue the culture wars. It’s pretty sad really.
Antonio
July 12, 2023 at 8:53 pm
Cool. It still doesn’t change the fact that a large number of the people coming here are doing so because he has done a great job.
Jackson Holmes
July 10, 2023 at 7:09 pm
Please provide a weblink to Poll.
Jackson Holmes
July 10, 2023 at 7:16 pm
This Poll opposite.
NEW: Polling from Progress Florida & Florida Watch Shows Floridians Unhappy with Direction of State – Florida Watch
https://floridawatch.org/new-polling-from-progress-florida-florida-watch-shows-floridians-unhappy-with-direction-of-state/
Alex
July 10, 2023 at 8:19 pm
I’m not sure that poll is accurate or if it was targeted in a specific region where the cult has a strong hold.
Cheesy Floridan
July 12, 2023 at 11:13 am
This poll is supposed to show the opinion of the whole state of 22 million people and yet less then a thousand people answered. I don’t think this is a very good poll. I think that people support Disney more than DeSantis. The whole state didn’t elect him, only a little over 4 million people did. so no i dont believe the data in this poll and that florida supports desantis
tom palmer
July 13, 2023 at 1:18 pm
He is neck and neck with Rick Scott for being the worst Florida governor in my memory, which goes back to the 1950s.
Robert C beard
July 13, 2023 at 6:59 pm
I live in Florida and from what I’ve seen and heard from young and old 54% approval rating is outright wrong. I don’t hear anyone in Florida talking good about DeSantis.
Kim
July 15, 2023 at 2:18 pm
Desantis has a Yale( History Degree) & Harvard JURIS DOCTOR w honors in LAW (attorney). He was a JAG OFFICER who advised GENERALS and a seal team in IRAQ. He is a decorated WAR VET. He is a founding member of the FREEDOM CAUCUS while serving in congress. He is a EXCELLENT GOVERNOR who won double digits in all demographics WITHOUT TRUMPS ENDORSEMENT then passing the conservative agenda. He will be a great American President. VOTE DESANTIS 2024
My Take
July 16, 2023 at 10:44 pm
I wonder then, when he went bad, when he veered from traditional American principles?
And did he hate black Americans and gay Americans all along?
Kim
July 15, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Why are you moderating my comments? I have not broke any rules.
Kim
July 15, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Are you removing pro Desantis comments?
My Take
July 16, 2023 at 10:51 pm
Leap to the conspiracy theory!!
The moderation I’ve seen has just been a delay.
My Take
July 19, 2023 at 4:19 pm
What will Queen Rhonda do TO Florida when he is finally kicked aside . . . and Florida has chosen Trump?
Comments are closed.