STAYING ON TOP

Despite her (largely Republican) detractors, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues to enjoy significant statewide popularity, according to recent polls, although the long winter and the public’s confinement is showing. A recent  (March) EPIC-MRA poll shows Whitmer’s positive job approval has slipped, but remains in positive territory, with 52 percent of those responding giving her a positive job approval rating, and 47 percent a negative job approval rating. As for their favorable opinion of her, 49 percent had a favorable opinion of Whitmer, versus 44 percent who had a negative opinion. Seven percent refused to answer or were undecided. In September, her favorability rating was 56 percent. Statewide, Whitmer is most popular in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, with a 59 percent favorability rating against a 35 percent negative approval rating. The UP? Those folks are not fans. She only had a 27 percent approval rating – and a 73 percent unfavorable rating.