Survey shows Kelly, Parson with declines in approval for handling COVID-19 response
Both Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson have experienced dips in approval ratings for their handling of the COVID-19 crisis since April, according to a new report by professors at four universities.
Parson, a Bolivar Republican, has seen his approval decline from 60 % to 39 % from late April to late August, according to the survey by The COVID-19 Consortium for Understanding the Public’s Policy Preferences Across States. The group includes professors at Harvard Northeastern, Rutgers and Northwestern universities
Kelly, a Topeka Democrat, experienced a similar drop in her approval rating in Kansas, which went from 68 % in late April to 46 % in late August.
However, Kelly’s rating still remains above President Donald Trump, who went from 48 % approval in Kansas to 39 % over the same period.
Parson, on the other hand, lags Trump.
In Missouri, the president has seen his approval on the issue drop from 50 % to 43 %, several points above Parson, who is facing a competitive challenge from Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway.
Parson is one of only 12 governors nationwide to have an approval rating under 40 % in the survey.
Parson’s campaign manager, Steele Shippy, disputed the validity of the survey.
“These numbers put out by the ‘experts’ are so far off from what’s actually happening here in Missouri. Governor Parson’s focus has and continues to be protecting the people of Missouri and his administration’s efforts, along with the cooperation of Missourians, have put our state on a stronger footing than many other states. Governor Parson will continue to stay the course and not waver in putting the health and safety of every Missourian first,” Shippy said in an email Tuesday evening.
Kelly’s office did not comment on the survey.
The data is based on a survey of 21,196 people nationwide in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The Missouri results have a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points, while the Kansas results have a margin of error of plus or minus 6 points.
Most governors have seen their ratings drop over the course of the pandemic, but Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, both Republicans, and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, have all maintained ratings of 65 % or above.
Despite experiencing similar dips in their approval, Parson and Kelly have differed in their response to the pandemic.
Kelly has been more willing to use her executive power to restrict public gatherings during the pandemic, but has faced opposition from legislative leaders.
Parson has mostly deferred to local officials on decisions related to schools or social gatherings. He has also resisted calls to issue a statewide mask mandate.
This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 3:38 PM.
