Marylanders approve of the job done by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, but don’t support him as a possible presidential candidate, according to Goucher College poll results released Tuesday.
The poll, which was conducted Feb. 7-12 and released in two parts, found the three most frequent responses about Hogan were that he “is likeable,” “can manage the government effectively” and “works well with both parties to get things done.”
However, about 55 percent of the 808 respondents think Hogan shouldn’t run for president, compared to about 33 percent who say he should.
The poll was conducted as Hogan wrote an op-ed published on CNN’s website and made a Feb. 11 appearance on the network, where he spoke of his willingness to oppose President Donald Trump, his work in the state and “the dysfunction in Washington.”
Marylanders also have a positive outlook on the state’s economy, including on jobs, taxes and the budget.
“All of these things add up to why he has such strong, sustainable approval ratings,” said Mileah Kromer, director of Goucher’s Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center. “It gives you a deeper insight of what people think [and why] he is so popular.”
Those pining for Hogan to make a 2020 presidential bid is roughly the same percentage when broken down among Republicans, Democrats and independents — indicative of a “Hogan coalition,” Kromer said.
If Hogan ends the speculation and decides to run, though, certain attitudes would have to change within the GOP, Kromer said.
“Everything’s still pretty volatile still on that side with Trump and the Mueller investigation,” she said. “The things that have a different calculous would have to happen, I think.”
Residents expressed trust in state government, with 73 percent expressing “some” or “all.” About 22 percent say they can trust it “none” or “very little.”
Though the figures represent Congress as a whole, Kromer said the individual lawmakers who represent Maryland at the local and federal levels such as Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Anthony Brown would also receive high approval marks.
In comparison, only 34 percent of Marylanders have “some” or “all” trust in the federal government, with 64 percent saying their trust is “none” or “very little.”
In regard to Trump’s job performance, 66 percent “strongly disapprove” or “disapprove.” That percentage jumps to 74 for the way Congress is handling its job.
The poll has a margin of error of plus/minus 3.4 percent.