A day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address to lawmakers, a new poll from Mason Dixon Polling & Strategy shows the governor’s approval ratings remain healthy overall but are declining among key voter groups, particularly independents and women.
The poll found that 50% of Florida voters approve of DeSantis’ job performance, while 46% disapprove and 4% are unsure. While still good, the numbers reflect the governor’s lowest approval rating since he took office, and represent a 3-point drop from the 53% approval rating measured last March.
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Declining trends vary by demographic group. Among independent voters, DeSantis’ approval rating fell 10 points, from 51% to 41%. Support among Hispanic voters fell from 57% to 49%, and support among black voters fell from 16% to just 7%. His support also softened among older voters, dropping from 56% to 52% among voters over 50.
The poll also showed that DeSantis is currently falling out with women, with 49% disapproving of his performance and 45% approving. In contrast, male voters remain supportive, with 56% approving and 42% disapproving.
Regional results vary by state. The governor maintains high approval ratings in northern Florida (56% approval rating), central Florida (54%), and southwest Florida (57%). His weakest regional position is in Southeast Florida, where 41% approve and 56% disapprove.
Mason-Dixon noted that despite the fluctuations among subgroups, DeSantis’ overall approval rating remains relatively strong at 50%, even if it is lower than his previous high. The company points to several possible factors for the decline, including broader national headwinds facing Republicans, voter fatigue nearing the end of his two-term governorship, and mixed public reaction to the governor’s recent policy stances.
Polls show that changes in Gov. DeSantis’ support numbers are unlikely to have an immediate political impact, as he has not announced any plans for his future after his term ends. Mason-Dixon stressed that while the drop was notable, it did not indicate a collapse in approval ratings. “Overall, 50% approval is not bad. It’s just a little lower than he’s enjoyed throughout his tenure.”
The survey was conducted from January 8-12, 2026, and included 625 registered Florida voters who were interviewed live by telephone. Participants were randomly selected from a list matched to voter registration that included both landline and mobile phone numbers. The poll has a margin of error of ±4 percentage points, with larger margins of error for demographic subgroups.
