WASHINGTON (AP) — With the vice-presidential debate looming, a recent survey from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research sheds light on the popularity of Ohio Senator JD Vance, the Republican nominee, and his Democratic counterpart, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The study reveals a notable contrast in public sentiment towards the two candidates as they gear up for the highly anticipated event.
According to the survey, Vance appears to face a more challenging uphill battle in terms of public approval compared to Walz. Negative perceptions of Vance outweigh positive opinions, with nearly half of registered voters holding an unfavorable view of him. In contrast, Walz enjoys more favorable sentiments, with a smaller percentage of voters expressing negativity towards him.
The disparity in favorability extends to each candidate’s respective party base, with Democratic voters showing stronger support for Walz than Republicans do for Vance. This pattern is consistent with the broader trend of Democrats generally garnering more backing from women, while Republicans receive greater support from men. Despite this, Walz impressively manages to maintain a favorable standing among both men and women, showcasing a broad appeal across gender lines.
While Walz may have an edge over Vance among certain demographics, the survey also highlights areas where the Democratic candidate still has room for improvement. Notably, Walz falls short of his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, in terms of favorability among Black voters and women. These insights underscore the nuances of voter preferences and the complexity of determining candidate popularity.
As the presidential race heats up and voting begins in various states, the data suggests that the candidates’ popularity could continue to evolve as they become more widely recognized on the national stage. With both Vance and Walz poised to engage in a pivotal debate that could sway undecided voters, their performance and messaging will play a crucial role in shaping public perception.
The poll, conducted from Sept. 12-16, 2024, surveyed 1,771 registered voters and carries a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. This snapshot of public sentiment offers valuable insights into the dynamics at play in the vice-presidential race, setting the stage for a compelling showdown between Vance and Walz.