Poll: DeSantis’ popularity drops 17% since March

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ job rating has plunged since March, according to a Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy poll released Friday, the second such survey in a week with similar findings.

The survey of 625 registered Florida voters found 45% approved of the governor, while 49% disapproved and 6% were unsure.

In March, the same poll found much better numbers for DeSantis, with 62% who backed his job performance, 24% disapproval and 14% not sure.

The ratings’ drop coincides with an exploding number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the state, making Florida a hotspot of the pandemic in the United States.

DeSantis, a Republican and key ally of President Trump, has been criticized by Democrats and others about his handling of the virus, saying he reopened the economy too soon and is recklessly pushing the reopening of public schools.

DeSantis says he see signs the cases are stabilizing, even though recordsetting death counts have been recorded for three consecutive days this week.

A Quinnipiac poll released last week found a similar drop in popularity for DeSantis, although from April instead of March.

Overall, DeSantis’ job rating was 41% positive to 52% negative in that survey, down from April when he was 53% positive to 33% negative.

The numbers were the lowest for DeSantis since taking office in January 2019.

The Mason-Dixon poll has a margin of error of plus- or minus-4%.