Vance less popular than Walz: Predebate polling

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trump’s running mate, is less popular than his Democratic counterpart, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), several days before the two face off in a vice presidential debate, according to a new survey.

The poll, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that 57 percent of registered voters have an unfavorable view of Vance, up from 48 percent in an August poll. Only 27 percent of registered voters have a favorable view of Vance. Walz scores more favorably, with 42 percent having a favorable view and 32 percent having an unfavorable view.

Vance and Walz are set to head to New York on Tuesday for their first and only debate on CBS.

The Ohio senator has been sharply criticized for spreading a false rumor about Haitian migrants eating pets in a small Ohio town. The unfounded claim was then further amplified by Trump during his first, and likely only, debate with Vice President Harris and caused the area to experience fallout.

Walz has been criticized by Republicans over his progressive policy positions and how he’s represented his military service.

The anticipated debate will give both candidates an opportunity to voice their platforms and introduce themselves to the American public.

The survey found that over time, as voters have been introduced to Vance as Trump’s VP nominee, he’s become more unpopular. Walz has become more popular since joining the Democratic ticket, the survey results show.

In the survey, 21 percent of respondents say they don’t know enough about Vance to have an unfavorable or favorable view on him, and 25 percent say the same about Walz.

The Hill/Decision Desk HQ’s polling index shows the Ohio Republican with a 37.7 percent favorability rating compared to the Minnesota Democrat’s 43.8 percent. Vance (49.3 percent) also has a higher unfavorability rating than Walz (40.4 percent).

The NORC survey was conducted Sept. 12-16 among 1,771 registered voters and has a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.