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Chris Christie is the least popular governor in the U.S.

Jeff Fusco / AP for Hard Rock International

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is the least popular governor in America according to Morning Consult's Governor Approval Rankings, adding insult to injury after a brutal 2016 that included a failed presidential run and subsequent brushoff from the incoming Trump administration.

Winning trends: Two of the most popular governors — Charlie Baker of Massachusetts and Larry Hogan of Maryland — are Republicans in blue states known for their willingness to enact bipartisan measures, showing that reaching across the aisle still can have a positive resonance with voters.

Losing trends: Two of the least popular governors — Republican Sam Brownback of Kansas and Democrat Dannel Malloy of Connecticut — have found their states facing revenue shortfalls after they enacted sweeping and controversial economic policies from their respective ends of the political spectrum.

Most popular governors:

  1. Charlie Baker (MA): +58%
  2. Larry Hogan (MD): +57%
  3. Doug Burgum (ND): +53%

Least popular governors:

  1. Chris Christie (NJ): -46%
  2. Sam Brownback (KS): -39%
  3. Dannel Malloy (CT): -37%

Other big names:

  • Jerry Brown (CA): +24%
  • Rick Scott (FL): +21%
  • Andrew Cuomo (NY): +31%
  • John Kasich (OH): +26%
  • Terry McAuliffe (VA): +21%
  • Scott Walker (WI): -5%

Go deeper

Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Kellyanne Conway's parting power pointers

Kellyanne Conway addresses the 2020 Republican National Convention. Photo: Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

Kellyanne Conway has seen power exercised as a pollster, campaign manager and senior counselor to President Trump. Now that his term in office has concluded, she shared her thoughts with Axios.

Why it matters: If there's a currency in this town, it's power, so we've asked several former Washington power brokers to share their best advice as a new administration and new Congress settle in.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

GOP holdouts press on with plans to crush Cheney

Screenshot of emails to a member of Congress from individuals who signed an Americans for Limited Government petition against Rep. Liz Cheney. Photo obtained by Axios

Pro-Trump holdouts in the House are forging ahead with an uphill campaign to oust Rep. Liz Cheney as head of the chamber's Republican caucus even though Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told them to back down.

Why it matters: What happens next will be a test of McCarthy's party control and the sincerity of his opposition to the movement. Cheney (R-Wyo.) is seen as a potential leadership rival to the California Republican.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Lachlan Markay
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Democrats aim to punish House GOP for Capitol riot

Speaker Nancy Pelosi passes through a newly installed metal detector at the House floor entrance Thursday. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

House Democrats plan to take advantage of corporate efforts to cut funding for Republicans who opposed certifying the 2020 election results, with a plan to target vulnerable members in the pivotal 2022 midterms for their role in the Jan. 6 violence.

Why it matters: It's unclear whether the Democrats' strategy will manifest itself in ads or earned media in the targeted races or just be a stunt to raise money for themselves. But the Capitol violence will be central to the party's messaging as it seeks to maintain its narrow majorities in Congress.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow

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