Just weeks before Louisiana voters will choose its Congressional representation and decide on proposed changes to the state’s Constitution, a majority of likely voters—51%—say they believe the state is heading in the wrong direction, according to a new University of New Orleans Survey Research Center poll.
An overwhelming majority of Republicans, 64%, and independents, 57%, say they’re not satisfied with the direction of the state. White and male voters also are more likely to feel pessimistic about the overall direction of the state, according to the poll. The percentages of dissatisfied voters for both demographics are 57% and 54%, respectively.
The survey is not clear about what is influencing the pessimism at the state level, as Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has a healthy 56% approval rating.
However, the poll results show Republicans and independent voters in Louisiana are more likely to feel that the national economy has gotten worse. Seventy-seven percent of Republicans say as much, as do 60% of independents. Overall, 52% of Louisianans say the national economy has gotten worse over the past year.
Poll respondents also favor Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump has 49% support in the poll, compared to 35% for Clinton. Those who rated the national economy poorly were more inclined to say they are voting for Trump.
The poll was conducted between Oct. 15 and 21 with 603 likely voters. The margin of error is 4%.
