PPP Poll: 5 Senators Lose Support After Background Checks Vote

Five senators – four Republicans and a Democrat – have seen their approval ratings drop in their states after voting against more extensive background checks for gun purchasers, according to polls taken April 25-26 by Public Policy Polling.

The four states represented by the senators — Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio -— have shown “overwhelming, bipartisan support for background checks,” according to the Democrat Leaning polling firm.

The senators are Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Mark Begich, D-Alaska; Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and Dean Heller, R-Nev.

In Arizona, just 32 percent of voters approve of Flake, while 51 percent disapprove. “After just three months in office Jeff Flake has already become one of the most unpopular senators in the country,” the polling firm claims.

Murkowski’s net approval rating has slipped to 16 points from 21 in February. Begich has seen his net approval rating drop to 4 points from 10 in February.

Portman’s net approval rating has plunged to negative 8 points from positive 10 six months ago. In that tie he also became the first GOP senator to come out in favor of gay marriage.

Heller’s net approval rating has dipped to 3 points from 5 just before last November’s election.

“Taken together these results make it pretty clear that this issue could be a serious liability for the Senators who opposed overwhelmingly popular background checks in the Senate vote earlier this month,” PPP said in releasing its findings.