(The Center Square) – Heading into his final year in office, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is enjoying a bit of a popularity surge. That’s according to the latest report by Morning Consult.
The data intelligence firm published its quarterly report on gubernatorial popularity ratings this week. In the current report, which was based on surveys of registered voters taken between January and March of this year, 54% polled said they approved of the job the Hoosier Republican was doing, compared to just 32% who disapproved. The net 22% popularity made Holcomb the 25th most popular governor in the country, edging out California Gov. Gavin Newsom, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, all of whom also received 54% approval.
Holcomb’s first-quarter numbers were a slight improvement from Morning Consult’s January report, which found him to be the 31st most popular state executive with a 53% approval rating and a net popularity score of 18%. Last fall, Holcomb was 36th nationally with 52% approval and a net popularity of 16%.
He could see his popularity continue to improve thanks to economic development projects Indiana has been able to land during his tenure. Three weeks ago, Holcomb announced that SK hynix, a South Korean-based microchip manufacturer, plans to invest nearly $3.9 billion in constructing a fabrication and research and development facility at the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette. The 430,000-square-foot facility is expected to create 800 high-paying jobs by the end of 2030.
The governor said SK hynix investment will help make Indiana a leading destination for semiconductor development.
“This new semiconductor innovation and packaging plant not only reaffirms the state’s role in the hard tech sector but is also another tremendous step forward in advancing U.S. innovation and national security, putting Hoosiers at the forefront of national and global advancements,” he said in a statement.
After winning two terms as governor, Holcomb decided not to seek another office in this year’s election. His term ends next January. U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, former Holcomb Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, ex-Indiana Economic Development Corp. President Eric Doden, former state Attorney General Curtis Hill and political newcomer Jamie Reitenour are the six Republicans vying for the party’s gubernatorial nomination in next month’s primary.
Jennifer McCormick, a former Indiana education superintendent, is running as a Democrat. Libertarian Donald Rainwater and Independent Christopher Stried are also running for governor.