Amid growing concerns over economic challenges, Pennsylvania voters are expressing dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s management of the economy, according to a recent survey.
The Franklin & Marshall College poll reveals that nearly one-third of the state’s voters (31%) identify the economy as the primary issue, encompassing personal finance troubles, unemployment, and escalating costs for housing and utilities.
Voters indicate a preference for Democrats to address these economic issues, with 47% believing they are more capable compared to 23% who favor Republicans. Additionally, 44% of those surveyed feel financially worse off than they were a year ago, and over half report significant difficulty managing utility bills (57%), grocery costs (55%), and entertainment expenses (55%).
The economic outlook appears grim for many, as 32% of voters expect their financial situation to worsen over the next year, while only 20% foresee improvement.
Frustration with Trump
Support for President Trump has dwindled, with only 27% of voters rating his performance as good or excellent, a stark contrast to the 73% who deem it fair or poor. This represents a notable decline from the previous October’s figures, where his approval stood at 41%.
This marks the lowest mid-term approval rating for a president among Pennsylvania voters since at least 2006. As the mid-term elections approach, Democrats are perceived as more likely to secure control of the U.S. House, although House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, remains optimistic about expanding his party’s majority.
Only 33% of voters feel they have personally benefited from the president’s policies, the poll indicates.
Decline across Policy Areas
President Trump’s approval ratings have dropped significantly across various policy areas:
- Immigration: 38%, down from 47% in October.
- Foreign policy: 26%, down from 47% in October.
- Inflation: 15%, down from 31% in October.
Poll director Berwood Yost notes the lack of positive developments for Republicans, expressing skepticism about the potential for reversing these trends, stating, “Never say never, but it’s hard to imagine that most of this stuff isn’t baked in.”
Preference for Shapiro
Despite 45% of voters believing Pennsylvania is on the wrong track, Governor Josh Shapiro enjoys a stronger approval rating than President Trump, with 47% rating his performance as good or excellent. Shapiro maintains a lead over Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity in his re-election bid, holding a 50% to 25% advantage, consistent with earlier polls.
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