GOP Governors Who Reopened Quickly Met With Low Approval Ratings, New Poll Finds

The poll, conducted by Washington Post and Ipsos in a survey of over 8,000 adults, shows that a governor’s approach to reopening transcends politics, despite the partisan politics playing out over President Trump’s handling of the virus.

The poll found Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who was slow to shut down his state and one of the first to reopen, with the lowest approval rating at 39%, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earned the second and third lowest marks at 57% and 60%, respectively.

The highest mark was given to Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine at 87% approval, who has been heralded for his measured approach to opening the state; New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, both Democrats, earned the next highest approval with approval from about 8 in 10 adults.

Overall, 71%  of Americans approve of their governors’ performances, with majority bipartisan approval.

Trump, who has been criticized for his response to the virus, received much lower marks at 43% in the new poll.

The president pushed back on the governors’ high approval ratings in a tweet Tuesday morning, saying they “could in no way have gotten those numbers, or had that success” without his help.