Gov. Mark Dayton enters his final 18 months in office with the highest job approval rating of his tenure, according to a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll.
More than three out of five Minnesotans — 62 percent — approve of Dayton's performance, according to the poll. It's the DFL governor's highest approval rating in a Minnesota Poll since he took office at the beginning of 2011, and also higher than he ever scored in the poll as a U.S. senator from 2001 to 2006.
That's likely to embolden Dayton as he grapples with the Republican-controlled Legislature over the state budget. Clashes over taxes and spending, transportation, health care and early education are certain to accompany the closing days of a session that ends on May 22.
"I think generally he's been doing a good job, and things are moving in the right direction," said Julia Silvrants of Luverne, who participated in the poll. The 62-year-old hospital respiratory care manager said she likes Dayton's focus on education and appreciates his commitment to tax rates that take more from the wealthy than other Minnesotans.
The 70-year-old governor, elected in 2010 after a long career in Minnesota politics, scored his highest poll ratings in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, where he has lived for much of his life. He also did well in the remaining Twin Cities suburbs. Dayton's support dropped in the rest of the state, but stayed above 50 percent in both northern and southern Minnesota.
The poll of 800 registered Minnesota voters was taken April 24-26. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Marjorie Fischer, an 82-year-old resident of Sartell, said she registered disapproval in the poll. She cited the cost of government in Minnesota, which has grown during Dayton's time in office.