In perhaps the strongest indication yet that the investigation surrounding his relationship with a political donor has hurt his standing, embattled Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has seen a dramatic drop in his approval rating, according to the latest findings from Quinnipiac University released Thursday.
Forty-one percent of New Jersey voters disapprove of the job Menendez is doing as senator compared with 36 percent who approve — a 15-point dip since Quinnipiac’s previous poll less than a month ago. In that poll, conducted in mid-January, a majority of 51 percent of Garden State voters said they approved of Menendez’s job performance, while just 33 percent disapproved.
A huge majority of 70 percent said they have heard about the scandal. Among those voters, 59 percent said it has made them view Menendez less favorably, 53 percent are unsatisfied with how the senator has handled the scandal and 67 percent believe the allegations should be investigated.
The PollTracker Average shows how Thursday’s poll represented a departure from the positive ratings Menendez has typically received at home.
