Arizona Republican Jeff Flake, who has been in the Senate for less than four months after a twelve-year stint in the House, has unseated Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as the nation’s most unpopular senator, according to PPP. Flake’s awful job-approval rating, 32 percent, probably has something to do with his recent vote against expanding background checks, which are supported by 70 percent of Arizona voters.
“52% of voters say they’re less likely to support Flake in a future election because of this vote, compared to only 19% who say they’re more likely to,” PPP reports. The mother of an Aurora massacre victim also accused Flake of lying to her about his support for the measure, although the real story is more nuanced. And although PPP didn’t ask about it, it’s also possible that Flake’s central role in immigration reform is hurting him, especially among Republicans. Either way, McConnell’s office is surely popping Champagne today, or whatever turtles drink.
