Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Majority Of Hoosiers Approval Of Gov. Holcomb's Job Performance

Fifty-two percent of Hoosiers say Gov. Eric Holcomb is doing a good job, compared to just 13 percent who disapprove.
Lauren Chapman/IPB News
Fifty-two percent of Hoosiers say Gov. Eric Holcomb is doing a good job, compared to just 13 percent who disapprove.

A majority of Hoosiers approve of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s job performance in Ball State’s annual Hoosier Survey.

Of those surveyed, 52 percent say Holcomb is doing a good job, compared to just 13 percent who disapprove.

But about a third say they don’t know him or don’t have an opinion about him. Ball State's Bowen Center for Public Affairs Director Charles Taylor says that number makes sense, given Holcomb’s approach.

“Gov. Holcomb has a more low-key style than Gov. Daniels did," Taylor says. "He’s not had the sort of divisive social issue controversy that Mike Pence had as governor.”

Taylor also says Holcomb could help himself by taking more of a lead on some policy issues. Otherwise, Taylor says, Holcomb risks playing into the hands of a future political opponent.

“It leaves an opening when there’s a significant number of people that haven’t made up their mind, then somebody may come along and help them make up their mind,” Taylor says.

Holcomb is eligible for re-election in 2020.

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.