According to a recent poll commissioned for Indy Politics and Crossroads Public Affairs, Governor Eric Holcomb is very popular with his Republican base.
In a survey of 500 likely Republican Primary voters taken between March 24th and 25th, 65 percent of likely Republican Primary voters approve of the job Holcomb is doing as governor, with 27 percent disapproving.
Holcomb’s image is most impressive with seniors who give the governor a 72 percent approval rating. Among those 50-64 years of age, 63 percent approve. Younger Republicans also like the governor, just to a lesser extent. 49 percent of 18-34 years olds and 56 percent of 35-49 year olds approve of the job he’s doing.
The governor’s best numbers come from Marion County, where 80 percent of Republicans approve of his job performance.
“Governor Holcomb is really popular with his base, and he should be happy that he looks like he’ll be leaving with a very positive legacy for his time in office,” says pollster Andrew Weissert. “Sometimes you’ll see fractures in an elected officials’ base after multiple terms, but Holcomb is popular around the state and with both conservatives and moderates, alike.”
State of Indiana
Forty-eight percent of those surveyed say that Indiana is headed in the right direction, while 26% say it’s gotten off on the wrong track.
Men are more optimistic than women, with 55 percent of men saying the state is headed in the right direction while 40 percent say the same. A near equal 26 percent of men and 27 percent of women say it’s gotten off on the wrong track.
Conservatives are also happier with Indiana’s direction. Fouty-nine percent of self-identifying very conservative and 51 percent of somewhat conservative Republicans are happy with the direction of the state, while just 40 percent of self-identifying moderates say Indiana is headed in the right direction, while 33 percent say it’s gotten off on the wrong track.
Attorney General Todd Rokita
Attorney General Todd Rokita’s job performance is largely viewed positively by Republicans, with 51 percent approving of the job he’s doing. 23 percent disapprove but 26 percent are unsure or don’t know, suggesting he has room to improve his image with Indiana voters.
Rokita is most popular with self-identifying very conservative voters who give him a 60 percent approval rating. Among somewhat conservatives, 50 percent approve of the job he’s doing. However, he’s underwater with self-identifying moderate Republicans. Just 32 percent approve of the job he’s doing, while 48 percent disapprove. Most concerning for him with moderates is that 36 percent – more than his total approval – strongly disapprove of his job performance.
Indiana General Assembly
Finally, Republicans are largely happy with the job the Indiana General Assembly is doing. 56 percent approve, while 24 percent disapprove. There is room for improvement, though, as just 11 percent strongly approve, while 46 percent somewhat approve.
Seniors are happiest with the General Assembly. 61 percent approve of the job they’re doing, while 22% disapprove. Among 35-49 year olds, 55 percent approve, and among 50-64 year olds, 54 percent approve of the job they’re doing. Among 18-34 year olds, just 38 percent approve of their job performance while 37 percent disapprove.
“Overall, Republican voters are pleased with how their elected leaders are running the state,” said Weissert. “From the governor to the General Assembly, they enjoy strong job approvals. While the party is a bit chaotic nationally, it’s a much different story back home in Indiana.”
