Raleigh, N.C. – A new poll by Public Policy Polling finds that Wisconsin voters would prefer that Democrats control the State Senate rather than Republicans, 48%-41%. Nearly all Democratic and Republican voters want their own party to control the chamber, but the scales are tipped by independent voters who say they would rather Democrats run the State Senate by a 45%-31% margin.
As controversy continues to swirl around a possible upcoming recall election of Governor Scott Walker, voters say that in general, they think Wisconsin should have recall elections by a 53%-41% margin. Democrats support the idea of recall elections 86%-9%, Republicans oppose recall elections 16%-78%, and independents support them 56%-37%.
“Recall elections have become a polarizing issue in Wisconsin politics, but a majority of independent voters side with Democrats in having the option to use them,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.
Outgoing Senator Herb Kohl sees a strong approval rating among Wisconsin voters, with 54% approving of his job performance and just 28% disapproving – a slight increase from the last time PPP polled on his job performance in October 2011 when he was at 51/31. Republican Senator Ron Johnson hasn’t made much of a positive impression yet among Wisconsin voters, with 36% of voters approving of his job performance, 35% disapproving and 29% not sure.
PPP also polled on the favorability ratings of some major Wisconsin sports stars. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is at 73% favorable and 6% unfavorable – gaudy numbers to be sure but down from October 2011 when he was at 89/4 (and Packers fans were still dreaming of a Super Bowl repeat). Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun, recently cleared of performance-enhancing drug charges, is viewed favorably by 59% of Wisconsin voters and unfavorably by just 7%.
PPP surveyed 900 Wisconsin voters from February 23rd to 26th. The margin of error for the survey is +/-3.27%. This poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization. PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 In general, do you think Wisconsin should have
recall elections, or not?
Wisconsin should have recalls…………………… 53%
It should not ……………………………………………. 41%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 6%
Q2 Would you rather that Democrats or
Republicans had control of the State Senate?
Democrats ……………………………………………… 48%
Republicans ……………………………………………. 41%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 12%
Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Ron
Johnson’s job performance?
Approve …………….. .36%
Disapprove…………. .35%
Not sure …………….. .29%
Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Herb
Kohl’s job performance?
Approve …………….. .54%
Disapprove…………. .28%
Not sure …………….. .17%
Q5 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Aaron Rodgers?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 73%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 6%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 21%
Q6 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Mike McCarthy?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 65%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 8%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 28%
Q7 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Ryan Braun?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 59%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 7%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 34%
Q8 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Prince Fielder?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 49%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 16%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 35%
Q9 Who did you vote for President in 2008?
John McCain…………………………………………… 40%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 52%
Someone else/Don’t remember …………………. 8%
Q10 Would you describe yourself as very liberal,
somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat
conservative, or very conservative?
Very liberal ……………………………………………… 10%
Somewhat liberal …………………………………….. 19%
Moderate………………………………………………… 31%
Somewhat conservative……………………………. 25%
Very conservative ……………………………………. 15%
Q11 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 54%
Man……………………………………………………….. 46%
Q12 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,
press 2. If you are an independent or identify
with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 33%
Republican……………………………………………… 31%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 36%
Q13 If you are white, press 1. If other, press 2.
White …………………………………………………….. 90%
Other……………………………………………………… 10%
Q14 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to
45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are
older than 65, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 10%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 28%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 42%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 20%
Q15 Are you or is anyone in your household a
member of a labor union?
Yes………………………………………………………… 29%
No …………………………………………………………. 71%
