Three Democratic incumbents running for re-election in states President Trump won are among the least-popular senators, according to new polling data.
Morning Consult surveyed more than 275,000 registered voters from the beginning of January through the end of March, asking them to indicate whether they approve or disapprove of their senators. On the list of the ten least-popular senators, Republicans take the top three slots with Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and John McCain, R-Ariz. But slots four through six go to Trump Country Democrats, all of whom are up for re-election in November: Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.
McCaskill and Baldwin, according to the poll, are both underwater with voters. About 44 percent of Missouri voters disapprove of McCaskill, while 39 percent approve. In Wisconsin, 42 percent of voters disapprove of Baldwin, while 40 percent approve (similar to a Marquette Law poll released last month). More West Virginia voters approve of Manchin than disapprove of him, but by a slim margin of 44 to 43 percent.
Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Dean Heller, R-Nev., round out the rest of the list.
McCaskill, Manchin, and Baldwin have already been subject to significant opposition efforts from Republicans, sensing their vulnerability. Trump won McCaskill’s state by almost 20 points, and Manchin’s by more than 40. In Wisconsin, the president won by less than 1 point, but conservatives candidates have had strong momentum in the Badger State over the past decade.
There will be plenty more news made and much more money spent between now and November, but these numbers are another early indication Democrats are going to have a tough time competing in Trump Country — even if there is a blue wave heading their way.
