Fallin’s Approval Rating Hits New Low, Drops 19%

That represents a new low for Fallin in Tulsa World polling, and a 19-point drop from her high of 73 percent in September.

Falling’s rating stood at 71 percent a year ago.

Bill Shapard of SoonerPoll.com said some difficult political situations have likely cooled the enthusiasm of both conservatives and moderates. He specifically mentioned Fallin’s continued resistance to the Affordable Care Act’s expanded Medicaid program, and a revolt against important elements of the governor’s education agenda.

Less than two weeks before the most recent poll was taken, Fallin’s veto of a bill modifying the state’s third-grade reading law was overridden by the Legislature, and she reluctantly signed another bill repealing the Common Core education standards.

“Turning down expanded Medicaid probably caused the biggest drop among Democrats, and Republicans are unhappy about education,” Shapard said.

Nearly half of the Republicans surveyed last September had a “very favorable” opinion of Fallin and another 37 percent were somewhat favorable. Twenty-one percent of Democrats said they had a very favorable opinion of the governor, and 35 percent were somewhat favorable.

In June, only 34 percent of Republicans had a very favorable opinion of Fallin, and 33 percent were somewhat favorable.

Democratic percentages for those categories were 16 and 26 percent.

Fallin’s overall approval rating is also substantially lower than her two predecessors, Republican Frank Keating and Democrat Brad Henry, in the final years of their first terms.

Henry, who became one of Oklahoma’s most popular governors ever despite winning his first term by one of the narrowest margins in state history, had a favorability rating of 75 percent in the summer of 2006, ahead of his election to a second term.

“He was on the opposite side of public opinion on some things, but it didn’t seem to matter,” Shapard said.

“I think Republicans are a little more critical of their own leaders than Democrats are.”

All of that said, Shapard sees little chance that Fallin’s slipping poll numbers will change November’s general election. Fallin is opposed by term-limited Democratic state representative Joe Dorman and two lesser-known independents.

“I don’t see a scenario where Joe could (win),” Shapard said.

Oklahomans continue to have a very low opinion of President Barack Obama, with more than 55 percent saying they had a very unfavorable opinion of him.

Twenty-eight percent had a somewhat or very favorable opinion, which is in line with previous surveys.