UMVA has learned that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's approval rating has plummeted to a staggering low, now trailing behind President Donald Trump's ratings in the state, amid a massive fraud scandal that has left his administration reeling.
The latest poll numbers are stark: Walz's approval rating has sunk to just 39%, with a disapproval rating of 53% and 8% of voters unsure. This represents a 10-point drop in his support since last year, as the fraud scandal has dominated headlines and eroded trust in his leadership.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the poll also reveals that voters are losing faith in Walz's ability to tackle the fraud crisis, with 45% saying they trust Republicans to fix it, compared to 38% who trust Democrats, and 14% who say neither party can be trusted.
The same poll has recorded Trump's approval rating in Minnesota at 41%, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among conservatives. "Tim Walz has a lower approval rating than President Trump in deep blue Minnesota right now," one prominent commentator noted. "That's how toxic the fraud has become for Democrats."
Walz's troubles are compounded by his support for a new state flag, which 50% of voters say they disapprove of. The flag has become a cultural and political flashpoint, with critics saying it is overly simplistic and bears a resemblance to Somalia's national flag.
Republican leaders are seizing on Walz's weakness, with one prominent lawmaker saying: "Two issues that unite a majority of Minnesotans are the rejection of Tim Walz and his failed policies and our hatred for the Minnesota Somali state flag." The legacy of Walz's administration, he added, will be defined by the fraud crisis and his handling of it.
As the fraud scandal continues to unfold, Walz's approval ratings are likely to remain under pressure. Only 1% of Republicans in the state say they approve of his job performance, compared to 73% of Democrats and 32% of Independents.
With his legacy on the line, Walz's future in politics looks increasingly uncertain. One Republican state senator quipped: "The good news for Tim is that, now that his record is on full display, he could soon be the most popular guy in the jailhouse."
