We knew Gov. Andy Beshear was popular, but the most favored Democratic governor in all the land (aka, the country)? That was a surprise.
Beshear earns the honor if you go by Morning Consult’s new poll, released today.
Fifty-nine percent of registered voters in Kentucky approve of Beshear’s job performance while 36% disapprove.
Republican governors are by and large more popular than Democratic governors across the country. Despite being the most popular Dem, Beshear didn’t break the top 10 for most popular governors in the U.S. But he did claim 12th place — a feat in a mostly Republican state.
The second most popular Democratic governor in the U.S. is Delaware’s John Carney. Indiana’s Republican governor, Eric Holcomb, is well below Beshear on the list, in 20th place.
The last poll we reported on back in January did have Beshear in slightly higher esteem, with a 60% approval rate, according to Mason Dixie Polling & Strategy.
This latest poll found that most governors up for reelection in November are popular. Beshear will not be on the ballot until 2023, thanks to Kentucky’s wonky odd-year gubernatorial election tradition.
Whether Beshear’s popularity will translate to a win in crimson Kentucky has yet to be seen. He does have at least one possible Republican challenger already. Courier Journal reporter Joe Sonka tweeted earlier this week that Sen. Max Wise, who sponsored one of Kentucky’s anti-critical race theory bills, is considering a run.
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