By Brandon Moseley
Despite the pandemic, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) remains one of the most popular governors in the country. On Thursday, Morning Consult released their latest polling revealing that 62% of the people of Alabama approve of Governor Ivey’s job performance. This makes Ivey the eighth most popular governor in the country.
The ranking is based on each state’s voters’ approval of their governor’s job performance. Governor Ivey has the best ranking in the Southeast and she is also the most popular female governor.
Gov. Phil Scott (R-Vermont) is the most popular governor in the country with 79% approval. He is followed by Gov. Charlie Baker (R-Massachusetts) at 72%, Larry Hogan (R-Maryland) at 70%, Chris Sununu (R-New Hampshire) at 69%, and Mark Gordon (R-Wyoming) at 66% approval.
Governor Ivey offered her thanks to her fellow Alabamians for their confidence in her.
“I love Alabama and her people, and it is the highest honor of my life to serve as their governor,” Ivey said. “Having the confidence and support of Alabamians means the most to me. I assure the people of Alabama that as long as I am governor, your government will always reflect your values. We are experiencing one of the strongest economic comebacks in the country, with more jobs available now than ever before. We are putting a greater focus on making meaningful reforms to areas that affect the everyday lives of families like in our schools and on our infrastructure all to ensure Alabama’s best days are still to come.”
The least popular governor in the country is Gov. Kate Brown (D-Oregon).
The news comes as Ivey is running for re-election. Several conservatives are either running or contemplating running in the Republican primary for Governor against Ivey.
Conservative pastor from Lee County Dean Odle announced his candidacy over a year ago. Former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy George (who ran unsuccessfully in 2014) is the only other declared Republican candidate. State Auditor Jim Zeigler (R) has been campaigning and fundraising for months but has not made a decision on whether or not to run against Ivey. Greenville businessman Tim James is also publicly mulling a bid for Governor and says that he will make a decision before the end of the year. James ran unsuccessfully in 2002 and 2010. LGBTQ activist Chris Countryman is the only Democrat who has announced his candidacy in the gubernatorial race. Countryman ran unsuccessfully in 2018.
Ivey was elevated to Governor in 2017 when Gov. Robert Bentley (R) resigned. She was elected in her own right in 2018. She previously served two terms as Lieutenant Governor and two terms as State Treasurer.
The last time an incumbent Governor in Alabama lost their party’s primary was Gov. Albert Brewer in 1970, who lost the Democratic primary to former Gov. George C. Wallace. The last time an incumbent Governor in Alabama lost a general election was Gov. Don Siegelman (D) in 2002, who lost to Congressman Bob Riley (R-AL03).
Ivey grew up on a cattle farm in Wilcox County, is a former educator, and is a graduate of Auburn University.
The Republican primary is May 24, 2022.
