A.G. Gancarski
The first poll of Ron DeSantis’ approval numbers after his administration walked back the controversial Great Outdoors Initiative to bring development and resort-style amenities to state parks is a mixed bag.
The Emerson College Poll of 815 likely voters conducted Sept. 3-5 shows DeSantis at less than 50% approval.
His 47% favorable number and 45% disapproval are particularly remarkable given the GOP lean of the sample, which is 39% Republican and 32% Democrat.
To put DeSantis’ middling approval numbers in perspective, his +2 matches Donald Trump, who is at 51% to 49%. Kamala Harris, at 49% to 51%, is slightly underwater.
DeSantis closed out August by denying his administration had any interest in advancing the parks proposal, which was announced by the Department of Environmental Protection on Primary Election Day by way of setting up now-cancelled informational meetings on the subject in eight places at once a week later.
“A lot of that stuff was just half-baked and it was not ready for prime time when it was,” he claimed. “And it was intentionally leaked out to a left-wing group to try to create a narrative.”
Other evidence exists of DeSantis’ diminished political capital from August’s elections.
Out of DeSantis’ 23 endorsed School Board candidates, voters rejected 11 outright. Six others failed to get majority support, meaning they must face a General Election runoff. Meanwhile, seven of the 11 Florida Democratic Party (FDP)-supported School Board candidates won their Primaries statewide.
He said he didn’t have time to help his preferred candidates.
“I will confess, in ’22 we had a whole operation dedicated to this and we did a lot of resources and we had all that,” DeSantis said last month. “I wasn’t in a position to do that this time, at least for the Primary. Maybe we’ll help in the General because I’ve got all these other things I’ve got to do.”
He mentioned his work then trying to defeat “these amendments that they’re doing,” DeSantis said, referring to the recreational pot or the amendment to protect abortion access.
Both the pot legalization initiative and the reproductive rights push are more popular than he is, per Emerson.
“Regarding the Florida ballot measure to provide a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability, 55% would vote ‘yes’ in support, 26% plan to vote ‘no’, and 20% are unsure. Support for the measure to legalize marijuana surpasses the 60% threshold: 64% plan to vote ‘yes’ while 27% plan to vote ‘no’.”
To be added to the state constitution, the ballot initiatives must receive 60% support at the polls.
22 comments
Linwood Wright
September 6, 2024 at 10:07 am
It’s nice to see more people waking up to what many of us have known all along; that DeSantis is a corrupt POS bully who blew all his political capital on a failed run for POTUS and will soon fade back into obscurity.
10 bucks says he moves to California and writes another bad book.
Porsche Allen
September 9, 2024 at 4:36 pm
He’s the worst thing to ever disgrace Florida
Victoria Olson
September 6, 2024 at 10:51 am
Building in State parks are part of Project 2025 written by the Republican Heritage Foundation, Florida is mentioned 5 times as a model for their egregious plans for America. They state “State Parks are a waste they should be used for drilling, cutting the timber & building resorts. It’s part of 900 pages of horror read up. This will not be over until Trump loses. Vote wisely for the future of state parks & our freedom.
My Take
September 6, 2024 at 2:24 pm
And after drilling and cutting 90% of the trees you build the golf course and resort.,
Jojo
September 7, 2024 at 9:17 am
Thank you for posting this- I had no idea. It’s so unbelievable that I had to fact check it.
The chapter on public lands was literally written by industry leaders. Floridians,on both sides of the aisle, were rightfully outraged at the governors plan and should be equally furious at the takeover of OUR land.
Please vote for the party that cares about our land
Walter Singh
September 8, 2024 at 7:27 am
DeSantis says he’s too busy and the proposition was “half-baked”. In other words, he got caught with his pants down. He thinks Florida belongs to him & his cronies. It’s a dictatorship in Florida and other parts of America…2025
PeterH
September 7, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Unfortunately Project 2025 isn’t going away with Donald Trump. This document is a Republican blueprint for America’s future. They’ve written it down and Florida is Project 2025’s “canary in a coal mine” to see how the project can be implemented! Florida residents need to wake up.
JD
September 6, 2024 at 11:30 am
“A lot of that stuff was just half-baked and it was not ready for prime time when it was,” he claimed. “And it was intentionally leaked out to a left-wing group to try to create a narrative.”
BS. You got caught trying to grift a resource meant for everyone, mostly because “you got yours”.
JEAN SOLOMON
September 7, 2024 at 11:28 am
well, he fired the whistleblower..JAMRD GADDIS.. then RON released GADDIS’ PERSONEL files to a newpaper in Gainesville; which a violation of GADDIS employee rights..RON appears to be too chicken to confront anyone head on…mano -mano..so he sneaks around an gets a flunky to do his dirty work..what aPOS.
Michael K
September 6, 2024 at 12:36 pm
When I think of all the damage DeSantis inflicted on good people and good institutions — vindictive actions intended solely to fuel his personal political fantasy – I shake my head and wonder when people will wake up.
He’s inflicted harm on LGBTQ people, teachers, women, and Black people to name a few – and destroyed our premier liberal arts college and elimination of arts and culture funding – not to mention his hiring sycophants like Corcoran and Sasse. His arrogance and destruction of Sunshine laws are unforgivable assaults on our democracy.
I hope this election creates the backlash that will wake people up.
My Take
September 6, 2024 at 2:21 pm
Watch out for New College’s properties.
No more MAGAts
September 6, 2024 at 6:14 pm
Enough is enough. The blue wave is coming, mark my words
Jojo
September 6, 2024 at 10:41 pm
Everyone in the state of Florida knows where this “ half baked” idea emanated from and it wasn’t the DEP.
Maybe the shine is finally wearing off but representatives and dept heads don’t take a whizz without the say so of the governor
JEAN SOLOMON
September 7, 2024 at 11:30 am
and he watches them take WHIZZ.
Liam Planter
September 7, 2024 at 6:57 am
@Michael K – you are absolutely correct about the “little man” DeSantis. He actually showed some promise in the very beginning of his first term. It didn’t take long for him to become the power hungry cruel autocratic governor he is. His quest (or Casey’s?) for power and his outrageous legislation have made Florida the laughing stock of the nation. I also think @MyTake is on to something concerning the property New College sits on – I suspect some deal to sell it off to developer friends is already part of the plan. Such a shame to lose what it was – a unique place for intellectual kids to thrive. Now it is an overpriced school for jocks. Yuck! I guess in a way DeSantis is an overpriced jock!
Jojo
September 7, 2024 at 7:02 am
Everyone in the state of Florida knows where this “ half baked” idea emanated from and it wasn’t the DEP.
David M Friedberg
September 7, 2024 at 11:14 pm
Ron desantis has shown time and time again he does nor belong in office. From his piece of crap policies and destroying education in Florida to his racist fascist views on voting rights, abortion, DEI, and the housing and insurance issues. He’s just scum and a wannabe dictator. He needs to be voted out.
Oscar Sistrunk
September 8, 2024 at 8:19 am
Desatan fiddles as he watches the condo real estate market collapse, home insurance prices become unaffordable (they are 1 CAT 4 or 5 hurricane away) and education devolving.
As usual, it will take Democrats to correct this mess.
Jim
September 9, 2024 at 6:17 pm
👍
KathrynA
September 8, 2024 at 2:30 pm
I’d say it’s been quite some time since he was a “popular governor”. Never was in my mind! But he does have his state guard and election police and am very concerned about the upcoming election. What a fascist!
Phil Morton
September 9, 2024 at 6:09 am
He never was a popular governor. Charlie Crist was simply way less popular, even with Democrats.
Jim
September 9, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Desantis was and is the worse. Didn’t think anyone could out do Scott. But he did. By far. He will be walking out the door a multi millionaire and Florida will be in ruins (along list of waste) with nothing actually done for the people. What he did was all for his fascist theology and little man ego.
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