Virginia GOP Gov. Youngkin commands 55% approval in blue Virginia

Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin currently commands a 55% approval rating in the deep blue state, according to a recent survey.

After claiming the governor's mansion in a 2021 upset election, Youngkin has gradually improved his standing among Virginia voters. A Roanoke College survey released Tuesday further revealed that the Republican held a 35% disapproval rating. He earned a 53% approval rating in May but his disapproval was the same.

The survey attributed the modest increase for Youngkin to a rise in Republican support. Between June and August, GOP approval of the governor rose from 75% to 86%.

In a slightly different question, 51% of Virginians expressed a favorable view of Youngkin, while 37% took the opposite opinion. The Washington Examiner highlighted that majority approval ratings are rare for Virginia governors, citing the corresponding figures for Youngkin's Democratic predecessors, Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe.

“Since most of the increase in Youngkin’s favorability comes from his own party, his increased prominence (whether it be traveling in the state or national spotlight) among Republicans is very likely tied to that,"  said Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College Director David Taylor, per the outlet. "And, just in general, Virginians are getting to know him and what he's doing for our Commonwealth more as time passes. We’re just past his seventh month in office, and it can take time to grow even in one’s own party.”

Virginians remained somewhat sour on the prospect of a Youngkin presidency, however, with just 36% of residents, including 49% of Republicans saying he should seek the nation's top elected office.