New Poll: Rhode Island Dem Gov Gina Raimondo “Has Lost Substantial Support” Since Her Election

Democrat Governor Gina Raimondo’s path to securing another term is growing increasingly difficult as Rhode Islanders sour on her performance. A new poll by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government shows that Raimondo “has lost substantial support since her election three years ago,” with only 34% of those polled calling her performance good or excellent while 61% of Rhode Islanders rate her performance fair or poor. The percentage of those polled that gave Raimondo excellent ratings was in the single digits at only 6%, a full 25 points below the 31% that described her performance as poor

To make matters worse for Raimondo, only 41% of those polled approve of her handling of the state’s economy while 48% disapprove. And when asked if their family’s financial situation had improved during her time as governor only 26% of responded in the affirmative while 73% say their situation has either remained the same or gotten worse.

With a weak record on the economy, a disturbing child-welfare scandal, and ongoing budget issues dragging the state down on Raimondo’s watch, it’s no surprise that Rhode Islanders are giving her poor marks. After nearly four years of failed leadership under Raimondo, it is increasingly clear that voters are ready for a change.

GoLocalProv reports:

“Polling numbers show that Governor Gina Raimondo’s numbers are the second lowest of the federal, state and local polled…

Raimondo has lost substantial support since her election three years ago. According to the poll conducted by John Della Volpe, Harvard’s Kennedy School’s Director of Polling at the Institute of Politics, Raimondo, who was elected with just 40.7 percent of the vote, has lost support, especially among independents.

According to the poll, Raimondo’s job performance has a combined excellent/good of 34 percent.  And, 61 percent of Rhode Islanders score her performance fair/poor…

Most concerning for Raimondo and her team is that just 6 percent rate her performance as excellent and 31 percent rate her performance as poor.

Overall job performance is not Raimondo’s only problem. The majority of those polled believe Rhode Island is on the wrong track and the majority of Rhode Islanders don’t believe their family’s financial situation is improving.

When asked, If over the past three years “has your family’s financial situation improved, gotten worse, or not changed at all,” only 26 percent responded that their family’s finances improved and combined said their situation was either worse (19 percent) or remained the same (54 percent). Only 1 percent didn’t know or refused to answer.

Changed for the better……………………….. 26%
Changed for the worse ……………………… 19%
Not changed at all…………………………….. .54%
Don’t know/Refused………………………….. 1%

A majority of those surveyed (48 percent) said they disapprove of how Raimondo is “handling the state’s economy.”  Just 41 percent of Rhode Islanders approve of how she handled the economy. 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Governor Raimondo is handling the state economy?

Approve ………………………………………….. 41%
Disapprove ……………………………………… 48%
Don’t know/Refused …………………………. 11%”