Gov. Bobby Jindal’s popularity among Louisiana voters has fallen to its lowest level ever, according to the results of a statewide poll released this morning. Only 38% of respondents rated Jindal’s job performance favorably, while 60% gave the governor an unfavorable rating. That’s a big drop from last fall—when 51% approved of Jindal’s performance—and a stunning decline for a governor who, during his first term, was considered one of the country’s most popular. The survey, which was conducted by Southern Media Opinion & Research and funded by local businessman and political activist Lane Grigsby, attributes voters’ increasing dissatisfaction with Jindal to his proposed tax reform plan, which is opposed by 63% of those surveyed. The governor’s proposed state budget cuts also negatively affected his approval ratings: 60% of respondents said the state budget has been cut enough. The survey also shows widespread pessimism among respondents: 48% said conditions in the state are getting worse, while 20% said they are getting better and 30% said they are staying the same. Responding to the poll results, Jindal’s communications director, Kyle Plotkin, says: “We care more about the unemployment numbers than approval numbers, and right now, we still have too many Louisianans unemployed and underemployed … that’s why our number one focus is growing the economy and creating jobs so that we can make Louisiana the best place in the world to raise a family and find a good paying job.” You can find the complete survey results here; or an overview of the results here. —Stephanie Riegel
Today’s poll question: Do you approve of the job Gov. Bobby Jindal is doing?
