FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
August 16, 2022
Contact: Sam Inglot, sam@progressmichigan.org
New Poll: Michiganders Remain Anti-DeVos
Newsletter also covers public support for abortion access, concerns about right-wing extremism
MICHIGAN – On Tuesday, Progress Michigan released the latest edition of Lake Effect, a monthly research newsletter that examines public opinion about political issues and public figures in Michigan. This month’s newsletter deals heavily with Michiganders’ support for abortion access, dislike of Betsy DeVos and her agenda, and concerns about right-wing extremists’ actions in-state and at the January 6th insurrection in 2021.
“The astronomical dislike of Betsy DeVos comes as no surprise, as Michiganders have repeatedly made it clear over the years that they do not support the DeVos family or their anti-public education agenda, and even then I can’t recall ever seeing an individual with single digit favorability,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Betsy DeVos isn’t the only right-wing actor voters have shown their disapproval of this month—our polling also shows that Michiganders want to see Trump and other contributors to his criminal conspiracy and the January 6th insurrection held accountable, and that many voters are concerned about the right-wing attacks we’ve seen on LGBTQ+ folks recently. And, of course, Michiganders are standing firm on preserving abortion access—they also aren’t pleased with Republican lawmakers’ decision to use taxpayer dollars to defend our state’s pre-Roe abortion ban. All in all this is another poll showing what we already know: MAGA extremists are out of touch with Michigan voters.”
Full results are available here. Some key takeaways include:
- Only 8 percent of respondents have a favorable opinion of Betsy DeVos, while 50 percent have an unfavorable opinion. 44 percent of those polled say support from Betsy DeVos would make them less likely to support a candidate, and just 4 percent say they’re more likely to support DeVos-backed candidates.
- 80 percent of those polled agree that decisions about whether to get an abortion should be made between patients and their doctors, rather than by lawmakers.
- 63 percent of respondents support efforts to overturn Michigan’s pre-Roe abortion ban, compared to just 23 percent who oppose these efforts.
- 52 percent of those polled think Trump should be prosecuted for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, while 42 percent disagree.
- 53 percent of respondents are very or somewhat concerned about recent attacks by Republican lawmakers on the LGBTQ+ community.
- 54 percent of those polled support Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent efforts to expand affordable childcare options, while only 24 percent oppose these actions.
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