Pennsylvania is proving to be a classic case of incumbent fatigue.
Tom Corbett, the Republican governor, is getting clobbered in his re-election bid, according to a new Franklin & Marshall College poll. Democratic rival Tom Wolf does not appear hurt by President Barack Obama’s dismal job approval numbers.
“Pessimism about the direction of the state is greater than 2006, but about the same as 2010,” says a poll analysis. “The job performance ratings for the incumbent governor are lower than 2006 or 2010. Both of these indicators favor Democrats since the incumbent governor is a Republican.”
The poll analysis adds, “on the other hand, the incumbent president’s popularity is similar to both years, which was an advantage for Democrats in 2006 but a disadvantage in 2010. President Obama’s relatively low approval ratings could hurt Democrats this year. At the moment, which party has an advantage in voter interest and turnout is still unclear.”
Wolf leads Corbett in the latest poll, 49-24 percent. One in four think Corbett is doing a good or excellent job as governor. About one-third give similar marks to Obama, who won the state in 2012 with 52 percent.