Poll: Trump, Haslam, Alexander, Corker see gains in approval

A new poll shows approval ratings for President Donald Trump and Tennessee leaders have increased across the state since November.

The April Mason-Dixon Tennessee poll shows Trump, Gov. Bill Haslam and U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, both R-Tenn., saw gains ranging from 2 to 7 percent, with Corker seeing the biggest jump.

The poll includes a sample of 625 registered Tennessee voters from across the state. Of those, 182 identified as Democrats, 238 as Republicans and 205 as independents. They were interviewed by phone over the course of three days in April.

Trump’s approval rating is up three points at 54 percent, with most of his support coming from Republicans, men and white voters. Only 6 percent of black voters indicated approval.

Haslam’s approval rating has jumped by four points, bumping his overall score to 61 percent statewide. Most of his support comes from men, white voters and Republicans and independents.

For the senators, both Alexander and Corker’s ratings have improved — with Alexander up two points at 46 percent and Corker up seven points at 47 percent, flipping his overall rating from negative to positive.

While their ratings have improved, both of them have in the past carried approval ratings over 60 percent.

Alexander sees more approval among white voters, Republicans and independents. He has almost equal support among men and women.

With Corker, while he has regained popularity, it’s not within his own party. Most of his gains come from Democratic voters. His numbers among Republicans remain upside down, with 41 percent approval and 48 disapproval.

He also sees more support in West Tennessee and among women, black voters and Democrats.

Corker’s disapproval among Republicans is likely due to his open criticism of Trump and Republican leadership, as well as his favorable remarks about Democrat and former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, who is vying against Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn for Corker’s Senate seat.

Corker later defended his praise of Bredesen but said he still plans to support the GOP nominee, though Corker never mentioned Blackburn by name during back-to-back appearances on national news networks Sunday.

Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327 with tips or story ideas. Follow her on Twitter @Hughes Rosana.