Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain has only a 30% approval rating in his state, according to a survey of the Grand Canyon State from the left-leaning firm Public Policy Polling.
The poll, released on Thursday, shows that 54% of Arizonans disapprove of McCain’s job performance. PPP reported that McCain is the “least popular senator in the country” among the lawmakers the firm has polled.
McCain, who was the Republican nominee for president in 2008, has a 35% approval and 55% disapproval rating within his own party, according to the poll. Among Democrats, only 29% approve and 53% disapprove. McCain’s standing is similar among Independents, with 25% approving and 55% disapproving.
While McCain is not up for re-election until 2016, in a hypothetical matchup, he trails other potential candidates like former Rep. Gabby Giffords and Richard Carmona, who lost a bid for U.S. Senate in Arizona in 2012.
As speculation over the 2016 presidential race continues, Arizona is positioning itself as a potential key state to help determine the future president. If former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were to run, she narrowly leads former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, 45%-44%, but leads New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, 44%-41%, and Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, 46%-43%.
According to the poll, Sen. Ted Cruz leads the Republican primary field in Arizona with 16%, with Paul coming in second at 14%.
Abby Borovitz