UNF poll gives Curry, Fauci high marks for leadership during pandemic

Jacksonville, FL — A poll by the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab finds 45% strongly or somewhat approve of the job President Trump is doing to address the coronavirus pandemic, and 53% disapprove.

The poll of registered Florida voters gives Governor Ron DeSantis 51% approval and 46% disapproval. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry had 70% approval and 24% disapproval.

Dr. Anthony Fauci received the highest approval rating at 85%. Only 6% disapprove of Fauci’s performance.

“Among Republicans’ approval numbers, DeSantis (76%) and Trump (85%) are doing very well despite the national criticism about their response,” said Dr. Michael Binder, director of the Public Opinion Research Lab.  “However, no elected officials are receiving the levels of approval that Dr. Fauci has garnered.”

When asked about whether the measures taken by various levels of government to slow the spread of coronavirus have been appropriate, not gone far enough, or gone too far, local and county governments lead, with 48% of respondents indicating they have taken appropriate measures. Respondents believe state governments and the federal governments have not gone far enough with 57% and 55%, respectively. Only 43% believe local governments have been lacking.

“Floridians are clear in their stance on who they trust, and it’s not their political representatives. Health organizations have the spotlight and authority to make suggestions to officials, and it would behoove politicians to follow their advice, especially as election season creeps closer,” added Binder.

93% of respondents said they were very or somewhat concerned in general about the pandemic, and 83% are very or somewhat likely to get vaccinated if one becomes available. Only 17% of respondents claim to know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

See full results of the UNF PORL poll here.