Everybody loves our Charlie
Bay State leader tops gov popularity list for second time
Gov. Charlie Baker has been named yet again as the nation’s most popular governor, with a 72 percent approval rating. Baker has now topped the popularity chart for two full years, according to the latest edition of Morning Consult’s quarterly Governor Approval Rankings. “It’s no small feat to maintain the high level of popularity that Gov. Baker has for several years now,” Republican consultant Ryan Williams said. “He’s the most popular governor in the nation for a reason: he has been an effective leader for the commonwealth, he’s worked across the aisle and gotten results for the people of Massachusetts. That’s why his job approval rating continues to be at an astronomical level.” More people either didn’t know or had no opinion of whether or not they approved of Baker, at 15 percent, than the 14 percent who disapprove. The rankings are based on 416,841 surveys taken by registered voters across the country, which were conducted from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. “As evidenced by public polls and their historic victory this November, voters are continuing to respond to Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito’s brand of results-oriented bipartisan leadership,” Baker’s political adviser Jim Conroy said. The most recent job performance assessment brings Baker’s net approval up 5 percentage points from his third-quarter rating. Political pundits said the popularity could help Baker if he ever decided to run for higher office. “It can’t hurt him,” political consultant Chip Jones said. “Popular people get elected.” Williams stressed, however, that he doesn’t expect Baker to seek any other office. “He’s legitimately content being governor,” Williams said. “It’s the job he’s always wanted and now he has it and he’s doing a fantastic job.” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan trailed Baker as the second-most popular, with a 68 percent approval rate, followed by Republicans Kay Ivey of Alabama, Chris Sununu of New Hampshire and Matt Mead of Wyoming, respectively. Nine of the top 10 most popular governors are Republicans. Democrat David Ige of Hawaii came in at No. 10, the first time a Democrat made the list in more than two years. The five least popular governors, most of whom are on their way out, included Republican Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, Democrat Dannel Malloy of Connecticut, Republican Bruce Rauner of Illinois, Maine Republican Paul LePage, who left office last week, and Alaska independent Bill Walker. Four governors on the list are considered potential candidates for the 2020 presidential election. Term-limited Republican John Kasich of Ohio, who is known for being critical of President Trump, earned a 48 percent approval rating. Three Democrats — John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Jay Inslee of Washington and Steve Bullock of Montana — have also been discussed as potential contenders.