March 13, 2013 - Pennsylvania Gov. Stuck In A Slump, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Sestak Runs Best Among Possible Dem. Challengers Word format PDF format Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, who has struggled with low job-approval ratings during his first two years in office, is stuck with a negative 39 - 49 percent rating, one of his lowest scores ever, according to a Quinnipiac University poll release today. This compares to a negative 36 - 42 percent job approval in a January 29 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. In today's survey, men are divided with 47 percent approving of Gov. Corbett and 44 percent disapproving. Women disapprove 53 - 33 percent. Disapproval is 74 - 13 percent among Democrats and 47 - 41 percent among independent voters, while Republicans approve 67 - 27 percent. Pennsylvania voters say 53 - 35 percent that Corbett does not deserve reelection next year. In an early look at the 2014 governor's race former U.S. Rep. Joseph Sestak tops Corbett 47 - 38 percent. Results for other possible Democratic challengers are: Corbett gets 42 percent to environmentalist John Hanger's 41 percent; Corbett at 40 percent to businessman Tom Knox' 39 percent; Corbett gets 42 percent to State Treasurer Rob McCord's 38 percent; Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski tops Corbett 44 - 38 percent; U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz at 42 percent to Corbett's 39 percent; State Sen. Mike Stack at 40 percent to Corbett's 39 percent; Corbett and businessman Tom Wolf tied 39 - 39 percent. "It's still early, but Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is going nowhere, and maybe even sliding a little as he prepares for what could be a tough reelection fight," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Pennsylvania voters, especially women, don't like Gov. Corbett and are ready to consider several possible Democratic challengers, especially former Congressman Joseph Sestak, Mayor Ed Pawlowski and U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz," Malloy added. "The fact that these relative unknowns top or tie Corbett signals a tough road to reelection." Pennsylvania voters give their governor a negative 39 - 44 percent favorability rating. Sestak gets a 27 - 14 percent favorability, with 58 percent who don't know enough about him to form an opinion. For the other possible Democratic challenges the don't know enough factor ranges from 67 percent to 89 percent. Voters disapprove 58 - 28 percent of the job the State Legislature is doing, brushing up against the all-time low score, a 59 - 25 percent disapproval in a May 13, 2010, Quinnipiac University poll. Voters approve 48 - 34 percent of the job U.S. Sen. Robert Casey Jr. is doing and give U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey a 43 - 32 percent job approval rating. Pennsylvania voters are divided 46 - 43 percent on whether it's a good idea or bad idea to increase the number of people in the state eligible for Medicaid. From March 6 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,116 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia and the nation as a public service and for research. For more information or RSS feed, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, or call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 1. (Split Sample) If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were John Hanger the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Hanger 41% 13% 75% 29% 39% 43% Corbett 42 75 10 47 48 35 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 - 3 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 - 2 3 2 2 DK/NA 13 10 13 19 9 19 2. (Split Sample) If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Tom Knox the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Knox 39% 6% 79% 29% 34% 43% Corbett 40 77 9 39 49 33 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 - 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 2 3 4 3 4 DK/NA 16 13 10 27 12 19 3. (Split Sample) If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Rob McCord the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom McCord 38% 12% 71% 26% 33% 42% Corbett 42 77 11 40 48 37 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 - 2 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 - 1 7 5 1 DK/NA 16 10 16 26 14 18 4. (Split Sample) If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Ed Pawlowski the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Pawlowski 44% 15% 78% 29% 41% 46% Corbett 38 73 7 44 47 31 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 - 3 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 2 3 3 2 4 DK/NA 13 8 12 22 9 17 5. (Split Sample) If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Allyson Schwartz the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Schwartz 42% 13% 77% 35% 39% 45% Corbett 39 71 8 39 45 33 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 - 2 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 - 3 3 3 3 DK/NA 15 14 12 20 12 18 6. (Split Sample) If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Joe Sestak the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Sestak 47% 16% 87% 34% 41% 53% Corbett 38 73 7 35 46 32 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 3 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 - 1 6 3 2 DK/NA 11 11 5 22 9 13 7. (Split Sample) If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Mike Stack the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Stack 40% 15% 75% 27% 38% 42% Corbett 39 71 5 35 45 33 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 2 - 1 1 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 3 - 4 7 3 4 DK/NA 17 11 15 30 14 20 8. (Split Sample) If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Tom Wolf the Democrat and Tom Corbett the Republican, for whom would you vote? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wolf 39% 8% 79% 24% 36% 42% Corbett 39 77 7 34 46 32 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 1 3 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 3 3 2 2 DK/NA 18 12 11 36 14 22 9. Is your opinion of Tom Corbett favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 39% 69% 12% 36% 45% 33% Unfavorable 44 22 68 42 41 48 Hvn't hrd enough 14 7 18 18 11 17 REFUSED 2 2 2 4 3 2 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Favorable 37% 22% 43% 41% 48% 37% 41% Unfavorable 53 50 41 41 36 45 45 Hvn't hrd enough 8 24 15 17 11 15 11 REFUSED 2 4 - 1 5 4 3 TREND: Is your opinion of Tom Corbett favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? FAVORABLE.... High Low Mar 13 Jul 13 May 13 Apr 8 Mar 3 May 13 Jul 21 2013 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 Favorable 39 44 49 47 43 49 38 Unfavorable 44 11 13 13 7 13 6 Hvn't hrd enough 14 44 36 38 48 36 55 REFUSED 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 10. (Split Sample) Is your opinion of John Hanger favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 6% 5% 9% 3% 8% 5% Unfavorable 5 8 1 4 6 4 Hvn't hrd enough 89 86 90 92 86 91 REFUSED - 1 - - - - 11. (Split Sample) Is your opinion of Tom Knox favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 9% 4% 15% 8% 11% 7% Unfavorable 7 8 5 8 9 6 Hvn't hrd enough 83 88 79 84 79 87 REFUSED - - - - 1 - TREND: Is your opinion of Tom Knox favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Mar 13 Dec 17 Sep 30 Jul 21 2013 2009 2009 2009 Favorable 9 9 10 10 Unfavorable 7 4 4 4 Hvn't hrd enough 83 87 85 85 REFUSED - 1 1 1 12. (Split Sample) Is your opinion of Rob McCord favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 12% 8% 18% 10% 9% 13% Unfavorable 5 8 5 2 8 3 Hvn't hrd enough 83 84 77 87 83 83 REFUSED 1 - 1 1 - 1 13. (Split Sample) Is your opinion of Ed Pawlowski favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 9% 5% 16% 3% 10% 7% Unfavorable 5 8 1 5 7 3 Hvn't hrd enough 87 87 83 92 83 89 REFUSED - - - - - - 14. (Split Sample) Is your opinion of Allyson Schwartz favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 22% 8% 37% 23% 19% 25% Unfavorable 11 16 2 13 15 6 Hvn't hrd enough 67 76 61 62 65 68 REFUSED 1 - - 2 1 - 15. (Split Sample) Is your opinion of Joe Sestak favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 27% 18% 40% 23% 31% 24% Unfavorable 14 21 6 13 18 11 Hvn't hrd enough 58 61 53 64 51 64 REFUSED - - 1 - - - TREND: Is your opinion of Joe Sestak favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? (*Low also 18% May 2009) FAVORABLE.... High Low Mar 13 Jul 14 May 13 Apr 8 Mar 2 May 13 Mar 2 2013 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010* Favorable 27 31 32 20 18 32 18 Unfavorable 14 20 14 11 6 14 6 Hvn't hrd enough 58 47 52 68 74 52 74 REFUSED - 2 2 1 1 2 1 16. (Split Sample) Is your opinion of Mike Stack favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 9% 6% 15% 6% 10% 8% Unfavorable 4 6 1 6 6 3 Hvn't hrd enough 86 88 84 87 84 89 REFUSED - - 1 - - 1 17. (Split Sample) Is your opinion of Tom Wolf favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 10% 7% 16% 9% 13% 8% Unfavorable 5 6 2 6 7 3 Hvn't hrd enough 85 87 82 85 80 88 REFUSED - - - - - - 27. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Tom Corbett is handling his job as governor? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 39% 67% 13% 41% 47% 33% Disapprove 49 27 74 47 44 53 DK/NA 12 7 13 12 9 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 34% 42% 37% 41% 48% 47% 39% 37% Disapprove 57 45 51 53 43 41 52 50 DK/NA 8 13 12 6 9 12 9 13 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Tom Corbett is handling his job as Governor? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 13 Jan 29 Nov 15 Jun 27 Jun 12 Sep 29 Jun 27 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2011 2012 Approve 39 36 40 35 36 50 35 Disapprove 49 42 38 50 47 32 50 DK/NA 12 23 23 15 17 18 15 28. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 28% 35% 18% 32% 36% 21% Disapprove 58 49 71 55 54 62 DK/NA 14 16 12 14 10 17 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 27% 28% 24% 27% 35% 40% 26% 23% Disapprove 58 59 60 62 52 52 60 61 DK/NA 16 13 16 10 13 8 15 16 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? (*Low also 25% Dec 2009) APPROVE....... High Low Mar 13 Jan 29 Nov 15 Jun 12 Mar 15 Apr 10 May 13 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2003 2010* Approve 28 33 36 27 29 49 25 Disapprove 58 46 43 51 54 24 59 DK/NA 14 20 21 21 17 27 16 29. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob Casey Jr. is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 48% 37% 66% 43% 45% 52% Disapprove 34 46 19 38 40 29 DK/NA 17 16 14 18 15 20 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 49% 48% 50% 53% 46% 50% 48% 48% Disapprove 35 34 35 32 38 28 37 36 DK/NA 16 18 16 15 16 22 14 17 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bob Casey Jr. is handling his job as United States Senator? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 13 Jan 29 Nov 15 Jun 12 Mar 14 May 28 Dec 16 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2009 2010 Approve 48 44 49 51 46 56 39 Disapprove 34 36 37 29 27 21 29 DK/NA 17 21 14 20 26 23 32 30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pat Toomey is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 43% 58% 31% 41% 46% 39% Disapprove 32 19 44 33 34 29 DK/NA 26 23 25 26 20 31 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 40% 44% 42% 44% 45% 43% 41% 45% Disapprove 35 30 33 30 31 32 33 30 DK/NA 25 26 25 26 24 25 26 25 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Pat Toomey is handling his job as United States Senator? APPROVE....... High Low Mar 13 Jan 29 Nov 15 Jun 12 Mar 14 Jun 15 Jun 12 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2011 2012 Approve 43 43 43 40 42 45 40 Disapprove 32 25 28 27 28 28 27 DK/NA 26 32 29 32 31 27 32 32. Do you feel that Tom Corbett deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes/Deserves 35% 59% 12% 34% 42% 28% No/Does not 53 33 77 48 48 57 DK/NA 12 8 11 18 10 15 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Yes/Deserves 29% 37% 33% 36% 39% 40% 33% 33% No/Does not 59 50 53 56 51 50 54 54 DK/NA 12 13 14 8 9 10 13 13 TREND: Do you feel that Tom Corbett deserves to be reelected, or do you feel that he does not deserve to be reelected? Mar 13 Jan 29 2013 2013 Yes/Deserves 35 31 No/Does not 53 51 DK/NA 12 18 33. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Pennsylvania today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 3% 3% 3% 4% 4% 2% Smwht satisfied 41 52 33 40 45 37 Smwht dissatisfied 38 35 41 35 33 41 Very dissatisfied 18 10 23 21 17 19 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 - 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Very satisfied 2% 3% 4% 1% 4% 3% 2% 3% Smwht satisfied 41 41 38 43 43 57 37 36 Smwht dissatisfied 38 38 36 37 42 28 43 39 Very dissatisfied 19 18 21 19 12 12 18 20 DK/NA - 1 1 1 - - - 1 TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Pennsylvania today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Mar 13 Jan 29 Nov 15 Jun 12 Mar 15 Jun 05 Dec 15 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2002 2010 Very satisfied 3 3 5 3 3 8 2 Smwht satisfied 41 42 46 40 40 60 35 Smwht dissatisfied 38 37 31 39 38 22 37 Very dissatisfied 18 18 17 17 19 8 25 DK/NA 1 1 2 2 - 3 1 34. As you may know Medicaid is a government program that pays for health care for low-income people and others with certain disabilities. Do you think that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid coverage in Pennsylvania is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good idea 46% 29% 64% 45% 39% 52% Bad idea 43 63 24 44 49 38 DK/NA 11 8 12 12 12 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 47% 45% 53% 41% 39% 43% 46% 46% Bad idea 43 44 38 49 52 53 43 40 DK/NA 9 11 10 10 9 4 10 13 Demographic Summary
