Poll finds mixed bag for leaders’ response to growing pandemic

Stresses during the coronavirus crisis are running high, and a new poll finds mixed results on how leadership is handling the issue.

The nonprofit Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida surveyed via email 3,244 Florida voters from March 31 through April 4 with a variety of questions about the growing coronavirus pandemic.

During that time, national and state cases exploded with Florida’s death toll more than doubling from 85 to 195. Since then Florida numbers have increased even more, with the death toll at 221 from 12,350 cases as of Sunday night’s numbers.

While the sample set of overall responses was 37% Democrat, 35% Republican and 28% from either a 3rd party or no party affiliation, it’s worth noting that for the national and statewide results, respondents tended to skew Democrat.

That said, the results show about 51% approve of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ performance during the COVID-19 spread, with about 46% disapproving.

Recently, DeSantis made a statewide “stay in” order except for essential services and activities and vowed to improve the troubled unemployment compensation system, which many Floridians have struggled with since the start of the crisis.

The same poll information showed President Donald Trump with a 45% approval rating and a 53% disapproval.

Dr. Anthony Fauci received the highest approval ratings of any figure with about 8%, and 6% disapproving among Floridians.

The poll found the state’s two Republican senators not as much on the minds of respondents with Sen. Marco Rubio garnering 38% approving, 35% not approving and 28% didn’t know. Sen. Rick Scott saw similar numbers with 37% approving, 39% not approving and 24% didn’t know.

Locally, respondents reported they were pleased with county government responses. About 48% of Floridians approve of county measures.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer received high marks with 61% of voters approving of his performance, and about 19% disapproving.

The complete list of poll questions and breakdown in responses by party affiliation and other demographics can be found at unf.edu/coas/ porl/Recent_Polls.aspx