LePage very unpopular...could win anyway

Paul LePage is one of the most unpopular Governors in the country. Only 39% of voters approve of him to 55% who disapprove. But there's a decent chance that he might get reelected next year for the same reason that he won in the first place- a three way split with a Democrat and an independent that allows him to scrape by with less than 40% of the vote.

We tested five contests that included LePage, independent Eliot Cutler, and different Democratic candidates and in each LePage comes out ahead even though he only gets 34-37%. Only two of the Democrats we tested (Congress members Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree) poll strongly enough to finish in second place, while the other three (John Baldacci, Janet Mills, and Ethan Strimling) each place third with Cutler grabbing second place honors.

The numbers are:

-LePage 34, Michaud 30, Cutler 26

-LePage 37, Cutler 32, Mills 19

-LePage 37, Cutler 32, Strimling 15

-LePage 37, Pingree 31, Cutler 23

-LePage 36, Cutler 29, Baldacci 27

If LePage somehow ended up in a two way contest he'd be doomed though. We tested him in head to heads against four potential opponents and he trails each of them by at least 8 points. The one he comes closest to is Eliot Cutler, who he would trail 49/41 in a head to head. He trails Chellie Pingree 53/40, predecessor John Baldacci 53/38, and has the largest deficit against Mike Michaud at 57/36. Michaud's statewide favorability rating is an incredibly strong 58/23- whether it's next year or some other time he's a very prime candidate for statewide office.

Democrats' wish list for their 2014 candidate is topped by Baldacci at 28%, followed by Pingree at 21% and Michaud at 19%. No one else polls over 6%.

The problem for Democrats though is that if they have a strong candidate and Cutler goes through with his candidacy, the liberal/moderate vote is likely to split enough that a united conservative front puts LePage over the top. With his approval numbers LePage ought to be close to doomed for a second term. But unless either a) Cutler doesn't run or b) Democrats nominate a very weak Cynthia Dill-esque candidate and let Cutler be their de facto candidate, LePage's chances at reelection are pretty decent. It's a complicated situation...

Full results here

Comments

[Mike]

I hope Michaud runs :)

[ren]

These Democratic spoiler candidates need to stay out of these elections for the good of the people.

[Kevinfaile]

LEPAGE IS A PSYCO-PATH IN A BUSNESS SUITE. ALL HE WANTS IS HEADLINES.LETS GIVE HIM ONE. LEPAGE FAILS TO WIN RE-ELECTION BY WIDE MARGIN!

[Rick]

Just saw this poll. I live in Maine and think LePage is the best governor in 20 years. Why ?? because he stands up to the limp wristed whining Democrat liberals. The Democrats have turned this state into a entitlement haven for those who have their hand out and don't want to work. Employers have a very hard time finding people who "want" to work and some of those that do work, try to scam the employer with every scam under the sun. It will take many years to turn the state around.