Near-Majority Job Approval for Lombardo from Nevada Voters
PHOENIX (March 21, 2024)- Recent public opinion polling data from Noble Predictive Insights’ (NPI) latest Nevada Public Opinion Pulse (NVPOP) finds Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in the good graces of Nevada voters – even when compared to former Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak.
This NVPOP, conducted from February 27 – March 5, 2024, surveyed 829 registered voters in Nevada, yielding a margin of error of ± 3.4%.
Lombardo Job Approval
Just over a year after being sworn into office, Gov. Lombardo earns job approval from a statistical majority of Nevada voters (49%), sitting at a net +14 approval rating. GOP voters are the most approving of the Republican governor (net +49) and Democrats the least approving (net -18). Nevada’s non-partisan voters closely match the topline numbers, although a significant one-quarter of them have no opinion.
Gov. Lombardo’s high overall job approval can be attributed to Nevada voters’ satisfaction with how he is handling certain issues in the state. Out of the nine issues tested in the poll, Lombardo received a net-positive approval rating on seven of them. He performs best on the economy, water/environment, elections, safety, and guns.
“For governors, approval comes down to competence and level-headedness,” said David Byler, NPI Chief of Research. “If people think the governor is steering the state in the right direction, they’ll often give them high marks – regardless of what party they’re in.”
Byler continued, “Lombardo has distanced himself from some of Trump’s fake electors, and he’s tried to project competence on economics and day-to-day governance. As a result, he gets high marks on public safety, taxes, water/the environment, election integrity – and on his job performance overall.”
Comparing Lombardo and Sisolak
This NVPOP asked Nevada voters whether they thought current Governor Joe Lombardo or former Governor Steve Sisolak has done a better job of handling a series of issues important to the state. On most issues, the two were closely matched; however, Lombardo ran away with the win on public safety and supporting law enforcement – suggesting that his Sheriff/law history is making a positive impact in these areas.
Along with the good signs for Lombardo, there are also warning signs in these numbers. Voters believe that Sisolak had a better handle on reproductive rights, affordable housing, and education – all of which are current pressing and divisive issues in the state.
“Despite his bipartisan appeal, Lombardo is still a Republican in a light blue state,” said David Byler. “His party’s brand is unpopular on the issue of abortion. Republicans are just now figuring out how to talk about education. And, on an economic equality issue like affordable housing, Democrats have a natural advantage. Voters are primed to think a Republican like Lombardo would be good at keeping communities safe and bringing growth – but he has to work against his party’s brand on these other issues.”
But, despite these weaknesses, Lombardo is in a strong position as a Republican governor in Nevada. Along with his high approval rating, Lombardo is well-liked (net +13 favorability rating), the GOP is more trusted to run the state (42%) than Democrats (38%), and voters are 50-50 on the trajectory of the state (50% right track, 50% wrong direction).
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Methodology: This poll was conducted as an online opt-in panel survey. The survey was completed by Noble Predictive Insights from February 27 – March 5, 2024 from a Nevada statewide registered voter sample. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect gender, region, age, party affiliation, ethnicity, and education. The sample size was 829 registered voters, yielding a MoE of ± 3.4%. Numbers may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Media Contact:
Veronica Sutliff, Noble Predictive Insights, v.sutliff@npredictive.com, (602) 390-5248
Sydney Evenson, Noble Predictive Insights, s.evenson@npredictive.com, (602) 350-1065
About Noble Predictive Insights: As a nonpartisan public opinion polling, market research, and data analytics firm, Noble Predictive Insights exists to transform how leaders make decisions by delivering data-based solutions and predictive insights that provide a clear path forward. We bridge the gap between research and strategy with customized strategic research, a hyper-focus on impact, and being true partners with our clients. Noble Predictive Insights (formerly O.H. Predictive Insights) is a 2023 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company in the Southwest region, and is ranked in the top 15 most accurate pollsters as well as in the top 5 for lowest average bias in the 2021-22 election cycle by FiveThirtyEight. For more information, please call (602) 326-5694 or visit our website at www.noblepredictiveinsights.com.