Raleigh, N.C. – PPP’s new Wisconsin poll finds that the race for Governor next year is likely to be competitive. Scott Walker is somewhat unpopular, with 43% of voters approving of the job he’s doing to 49% who disapprove. Walker trails a generic Democratic opponent for reelection 48-43. Of course, generic Democrats sometimes poll stronger than who the nominee actually ends up being and it remains to be seen who from the crowded Democratic field emerges but the race at the least looks like it should be a toss up.
“Scott Walker’s been a political survivor in the past,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “But 2018 is shaping up to be a completely different political landscape for Republicans from either 2010 or 2014 and he’s had sustained low approval numbers the last few years.”
The Foxconn deal isn’t doing much to enhance Walker’s political standing. 34% of voters say they support the deal to 41% who oppose it. Voters also question Walker’s motivations with the deal- just 38% think he’s doing it because it will be a good long term deal for the state, while 49% think he’s doing it just to try to help with his reelection next year.
There is also a sentiment among voters that in several key areas things in Wisconsin have not improved under Walker’s leadership. Just 17% think the quality of public schools has gotten better during Walker’s tenure to 48% who think they’ve gotten worse and 27% who believe they’ve stayed about the same. And only 20% think the quality of roads and highways has gotten better during the Walker administration, to 38% who think they’ve gotten worse, and 36% who think they’ve stayed about the same.
The other thing plaguing Walker right now is his ties to Donald Trump, who’s become unpopular in Wisconsin. Only 40% of voters approve of the job Trump is doing to 52% who disapprove. And 44% of voters in the state think Walker has been too supportive of Trump to 35% who think he’s been supportive about the right amount, and 13% who think he hasn’t been supportive enough.
Read more about Public Policy Polling’s findings on Scott Walker