Christie’s favorability under water in Iowa

WASHINGTON — A new poll of Republicans in Iowa has New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie with among the worst favorability ratings in a crowded field of presidential candidates, and with just 1 percent of likely caucus participants saying they would vote for him.

The New Jersey governor’s campaign, official launched on Tuesday, has put a higher priority on the New Hampshire primary that the caucuses in Iowa, where voters are more conservative and the record Christie built in a heavily Democratic state does not play as well.

The Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday shows how steep a mountain Christie must climb in Iowa, and could be a sign he faces trouble qualifying for the top tier of candidates invited to join in presidential debates.

Christie is not alone with low single-digit ratings in Iowa, however, so the poll also shows how wide open the race is.

Of the 16 declared and likely candidates, Christie is one of nine with support from 5 percent or fewer voters. The others are former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, at 5 percent; former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, 4 percent; businesswoman Carly Fiorina and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, 3 percent; Ohio Gov. John Kasich, 2 percent; South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, 1 percent; and former New York Gov. George Pataki, zero percent.

The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points, meaning each result could be that much higher or lower.

Christie is one of the better known candidates in the field, and one of the most disliked. Asked if they approved or disapproved of each person in the field, just 25 percent of caucus goers said they approved of Christie while 59 percent said they disapproved. The next highest disapproval ratings were 47 percent for businessman Donald Trump and 42 percent for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, but Trump’s approval rating was 42 percent and Bush’s was 46 percent.

Asked who they would definitely not vote for, 28 percent of caucus goers said Trump, 24 percent Bush, and 18 percent Christie.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker did best in the pack, with 18 percent of voters saying they would likely vote for him, followed by Trump and surgeon Ben Carson, with 10 percent each. Next were Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky, 9 percent each; Bush, 8 percent; and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, 7 percent.

Quinnipiac pollsters used land lines and cell phones to survey 666 likely Iowa Republican caucus participants between June 20 and 29.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.