44% Of Voters Say They Are Financially Worse Off Than A Year Ago, An Increase Since February, Quinnipiac University Pennsylvania Poll Finds; Also Higher: Opposition To AI Data Center In Their Community
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More than 4 in 10 voters in the Keystone state (44 percent) say they are worse off financially than they were a year ago, 36 percent say they are better off financially than they were a year ago, and 19 percent volunteer they are the same financially as they were a year ago, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University poll of registered voters in Pennsylvania released today.
This is a change from Quinnipiac University's February 25 poll, when 36 percent of voters said they were worse off financially than they were a year ago, 40 percent said they were better off, and 22 percent volunteered they were the same financially as they were a year ago.
"Many Pennsylvania voters are looking at their finances, flashing back to July of last year and seeing slippage," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
NATION'S ECONOMY
More than half of voters (52 percent) think the nation's economy is getting worse, 21 percent think it's getting better, and 26 percent think it's staying about the same.
This compares to Quinnipiac University's February 25 poll, when 47 percent thought the nation's economy was getting worse, 28 percent thought it was getting better, and 23 percent thought it was staying about the same.
In today's poll, there are wide partisan divides.
Among Republicans, 43 percent think the nation's economy is getting better, 17 percent think it's getting worse, and 39 percent think it's staying about the same.
Among independents, 16 percent think the nation's economy is getting better, 55 percent think it's getting worse, and 28 percent think it's staying about the same.
Among Democrats, 1 percent think the nation's economy is getting better, 87 percent think it's getting worse, and 12 percent think it's staying about the same.
2026 GOVERNOR'S RACE
In the race for governor, incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro receives 53 percent support among registered voters and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity receives 40 percent support. This compares to February, when 55 percent of voters supported Shapiro and 37 percent supported Garrity.
In today's poll, Democrats (96 - 1 percent) and independents (58 - 29 percent) support Shapiro, while Republicans (87 - 10 percent) support Garrity.
FAVORABILITY RATINGS
Fifty-one percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Josh Shapiro, while 33 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him, and 14 percent haven't heard enough about him.
Twenty-two percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Stacy Garrity, while 18 percent have an unfavorable opinion of her, and 58 percent haven't heard enough about her.
"Still one of the country's most popular governors, Josh Shapiro benefits by his opponent Stacy Garrity's greatest obstacle: people don't know much about her," added Malloy.
TOP ISSUES
Voters were given a list of 11 issues and asked which, if any, are important to them when deciding who to vote for in the election for governor.
The economy (74 percent) and the cost of living (73 percent) top the list, followed by healthcare (66 percent), ethics in government (57 percent), immigration (57 percent), crime (53 percent), the right to vote (53 percent), energy costs (51 percent), gun violence (50 percent), AI data centers (42 percent), and climate change (40 percent).
SHAPIRO JOB APPROVAL
Fifty-six percent of voters approve of the way Josh Shapiro is handling his job as governor, while 34 percent disapprove, with 11 percent not offering an opinion.
SENATOR FETTERMAN
Forty-eight percent of voters approve of the way John Fetterman is handling his job as United States Senator, while 41 percent disapprove, with 11 percent not offering an opinion.
Republicans (77 - 12 percent) approve of the way Fetterman is handling his job, while Democrats (69 - 19 percent) disapprove. Among independents, 48 percent disapprove of the way Fetterman is handling his job and 44 percent approve.
More than half of voters (52 percent) would like to see Fetterman leave the Democratic Party, while 31 percent would like to see him stay in the Democratic Party, with 16 percent not offering an opinion.
"The Democrats would like to show him the door. The Republicans seem to be welcoming him in. Thus is the political irony of Senator John Fetterman," added Malloy.
McCORMICK JOB APPROVAL
Forty percent of voters approve of the way Dave McCormick is handling his job as United States Senator, while 33 percent disapprove, with 28 percent not offering an opinion.
PRESIDENT TRUMP
Thirty-nine percent of voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president, while 58 percent disapprove.
This compares to Quinnipiac University's February 25 poll, when 40 percent approved and 55 percent disapproved.
When it comes to Trump's handling of the economy, 39 percent of voters approve, while 58 percent disapprove.
This compares to February, when 39 percent approved and 56 percent disapproved.
MIDTERM ELECTIONS
If the election were held today, 49 percent of voters would want to see the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives, while 43 percent would want to see the Republican Party win control of the House.
This is unchanged from Quinnipiac University's February poll.
AI DATA CENTERS
Roughly three-quarters of voters (76 percent) say they are following news about AI data centers either very closely (26 percent) or somewhat closely (50 percent), while 24 percent say they are following news about AI data centers not too closely.
Seventy-four percent of voters say they would oppose building an AI data center in their community, while 16 percent say they would support it, with 10 percent not offering an opinion.
This compares to Quinnipiac University's February 25 poll, when 68 percent said they would oppose building an AI data center in their community and 20 percent said they would support it, with 12 percent not offering an opinion.
"Nothing artificial about Pennsylvania voters' take on the advent of AI. Opposition grows as the inevitable new industry plants roots in their neighborhoods," added Malloy.
About one-quarter of voters (24 percent) approve of the way Josh Shapiro is handling AI data centers in Pennsylvania, while 34 percent disapprove, with 42 percent not offering an opinion.
895 self-identified registered voters in Pennsylvania were surveyed from July 9th - 13th with a margin of error of +/- 4.3 percentage points, including the design effect.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on probability-based samples using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.
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Poll Questions
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Question 1. If the election for governor were being held today, and the candidates were Josh Shapiro the Democrat and Stacy Garrity the Republican, for whom would you vote? (INCLUDES LEANERS)
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Shapiro 53% 10% 96% 58% 46% 60% Garrity 40 87 1 29 48 33 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - - 2 1 - UNDECIDED(VOL) 5 2 2 8 4 5 REFUSED 1 - - 1 - 1 -
Question 2. Is your opinion of Josh Shapiro favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 51% 19% 89% 49% 44% 57% Unfavorable 33 65 3 28 38 28 Hvn't hrd enough 14 14 8 18 15 13 REFUSED 3 2 - 5 3 2 -
Question 3. Is your opinion of Stacy Garrity favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 22% 45% 3% 18% 29% 16% Unfavorable 18 3 35 17 16 19 Hvn't hrd enough 58 50 61 63 54 62 REFUSED 2 3 1 1 2 3 -
Question 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Josh Shapiro is handling his job as governor?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 56% 23% 93% 54% 48% 63% Disapprove 34 66 2 32 41 27 DK/NA 11 11 5 14 11 10 -
Question 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Dave McCormick is handling his job as United States Senator?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 40% 68% 18% 33% 42% 38% Disapprove 33 11 52 39 32 33 DK/NA 28 22 30 27 26 30 -
Question 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Fetterman is handling his job as United States Senator?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 48% 77% 19% 44% 55% 41% Disapprove 41 12 69 48 39 44 DK/NA 11 11 13 8 6 16 -
Question 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 39% 83% 2% 31% 48% 31% Disapprove 58 14 97 66 49 66 DK/NA 3 3 1 3 3 3 -
Question 8. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Pennsylvania today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very satisfied 7% 5% 10% 7% 6% 9% Smwht satisfied 46 40 57 44 45 47 Smwht dissatisfied 29 43 18 28 32 27 Very dissatisfied 15 11 11 19 16 14 DK/NA 2 1 3 2 1 4 -
Question 9. If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Republican Party 43% 91% 1% 34% 51% 35% Democratic Party 49 5 96 52 41 57 DK/NA 8 3 3 14 8 8 -
Question 10. Would you say that the - Republican Party has moved too far to the left, too far to the right, or would you say the Republican party hasn't moved too far in either direction?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Too far left 7% 5% 9% 9% 7% 7% Too far right 42 14 70 46 36 48 Not too far 43 75 14 39 49 37 DK/NA 8 6 7 7 8 8 -
Question 11. Would you say that the - Democratic Party has moved too far to the left, too far to the right, or would you say the Democratic party hasn't moved too far in either direction?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Too far left 49% 85% 14% 48% 58% 41% Too far right 8 2 12 9 8 7 Not too far 36 10 66 35 28 43 DK/NA 7 3 8 8 6 8 -
Question 12. Would you like to see John Fetterman stay in the Democratic Party or leave the Democratic Party?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Stay 31% 30% 32% 33% 30% 32% Leave 52 55 57 46 53 51 DK/NA 16 15 11 22 17 16 -
Question 13. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the economy?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 39% 80% 3% 30% 47% 31% Disapprove 58 17 96 66 49 66 DK/NA 3 2 2 5 4 2 -
Question 14. From the following list, which items, if any, are important to you when deciding who to vote for in the election for governor: the economy, healthcare, cost of living, energy costs, the right to vote, ethics in government, crime, AI data centers, gun violence, climate change, immigration? (Totals may add up to more than 100% because multiple responses were allowed)
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Economy 74% 72% 74% 77% 71% 77% Cost of living 73 68 76 73 69 77 Healthcare 66 54 77 67 55 76 Ethics in government 57 46 61 66 51 63 Immigration 57 62 52 57 50 64 Crime 53 53 50 56 45 60 Right to vote 53 42 65 50 44 61 Energy costs 51 51 52 51 46 56 Gun violence 50 39 63 50 36 63 AI data centers 42 34 51 44 38 46 Climate change 40 14 66 39 27 52 DK/NA 1 2 2 1 1 2 -
Question 15. Would you describe the state of the nation's economy these days as excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Excellent 3% 7% 1% - 4% 2% Good 31 57 6 29 37 25 Not so good 33 28 35 37 32 35 Poor 32 7 59 34 26 38 DK/NA 1 1 - - 1 1 -
Question 16. Do you think the nation's economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better 21% 43% 1% 16% 25% 16% Worse 52 17 87 55 43 61 The same 26 39 12 28 31 21 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 1 1 -
Question 17. Would you say that you are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Better off 36% 61% 16% 31% 44% 28% Worse off 44 18 64 54 41 48 SAME(VOL) 19 21 19 14 14 23 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 -
Question 18. Is your opinion of artificial intelligence favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Favorable 22% 19% 22% 26% 29% 16% Unfavorable 47 43 52 47 41 52 Hvn't hrd enough 27 33 23 22 25 28 REFUSED 4 5 2 6 4 4 FOLLOWING AI DATA CENTER NEWS Q19 Very Smwht NotToo Closly Closly Closly Favorable 20% 27% 15% Unfavorable 63 45 34 Hvn't hrd enough 11 26 45 REFUSED 6 3 6 -
Question 19. How closely have you been following news about AI data centers; very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very closely 26% 22% 28% 30% 25% 26% Somewhat closely 50 52 51 45 51 48 Not too closely 24 26 20 24 23 25 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 1 -
Question 20. Would you support or oppose building an AI data center in your community?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Support 16% 25% 11% 11% 22% 10% Oppose 74 64 82 77 68 80 DK/NA 10 10 7 12 10 10 FOLLOWING AI DATA CENTER NEWS Q19 Very Smwht NotToo Closly Closly Closly Support 12% 18% 15% Oppose 86 75 60 DK/NA 2 7 25 -
Question 21. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Josh Shapiro is handling AI data centers in Pennsylvania?
REGISTERED VOTERS..................... Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 24% 14% 40% 20% 23% 25% Disapprove 34 42 24 34 37 31 DK/NA 42 45 37 46 40 44 FOLLOWING AI DATA CENTER NEWS Q19 Very Smwht NotToo Closly Closly Closly Approve 29% 26% 17% Disapprove 53 28 23 DK/NA 18 46 60