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Poll Shows Malloy's Approval Rating Drops Into 'Negative Territory'

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- The approval rating is sinking for Gov. Dannel Malloy with weak support from Democrats, women and young voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.

Gov. Dannel Malloy

Gov. Dannel Malloy

Photo Credit: File

Malloy, who won re-election in 2014, has a rating score of 43 percent who approve of his work as governor to 47 percent who disapprove, the poll said. This compares with a 48 percent to 46 percent approval rating in a May 9 survey by the independent Quinnipiac University.

"Gov. Dannel Malloy starts his second term in the hole. It is the first time he has been in negative territory since a June 2012 poll," Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz said.

Here are the results of the latest poll:

  • Men disapprove 52 percent to 40 percent;
  • Women are divided, with 45 percent approving and 43 percent disapproving; 
  • Republicans disapprove 78 percent to 17 percent;
  • Independents are at 54 percent to 36 percent; and
  • Democrats approve 64 percent to 22 percent, an anemic score for same party approval, Schwartz said.

Although 50 percent of Connecticut voters are optimistic about the next four years with Malloy as governor, 44 percent are pessimistic.

"When a Democrat scores only 64 percent among Democrats and is under 50 percent among the base, women and young people, you know he is in trouble," Schwartz said.

"Half of Connecticut voters say they are optimistic about the next four years with Gov. Malloy. But 44 percent remain gloomy, probably because of the economy. About two-thirds say the economy is in bad shape, and only about 1 in 5 says it's getting better."

A total of 47 percent of voters are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the way things are going in Connecticut, as 53 percent are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied."

In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 22 percent of Connecticut voters list the economy/jobs as the top priority for Malloy and the state Legislature, while 18 percent list taxes. The governor gets a negative 35 percent to 57 percent approval for the way he is handling the economy/jobs and a negative 29 percent to 64 percent for handling taxes.

From March 6 to 9, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,235 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points. 

In the same poll, Connecticut residents oppose the expansion of gambling in the Nutmeg State as well as the reintroduction of highway tolls. Read more about those poll topics here on the Daily Voice. 

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