Ohio Senator Rob Portman, the first
Republican senator to endorse gay marriage, has lost GOP support in
the month since his announcement.
According to a Quinnipiac poll released
Friday, Portman's approval rating dipped slightly from 44 percent to
40 and disapproval of his job performance increased from 24 percent
to 31.
Disapproval among Republicans increased
13 points. Forty-one percent of GOP voters said they view Portman
less favorably because of his reversal on the issue.
Support for marriage equality increased
slightly among Ohioans since the institute's December survey, from 45
perecent to 48. Forty-four percent remain opposed.
“Sen. Rob Portman's reversal on
same-sex marriage has cost him a little support in his Republican
base, but has little impact among Democrats and independent voters,”
said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinipiac University
Polling Institute.
“The movement in his numbers has not
been massive and the overall movement towards acceptance of same-sex
marriage, which we see in Ohio and elsewhere, could help him in the
long run, especially if he seeks reelection four years from now.”