F&M Stories

Democratic President Joe Biden holds a narrow lead, 43% to 42%, over the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, but Biden’s advantage expands from one to five points, 42% to 37%, when third-party candidates are included. 

These recent findings in the Franklin & Marshall College Poll, conducted Jan. 17-28 at the College’s Center for Opinion Research, were gathered from 1,006 registered Pennsylvania voters—450 Democrats, 414 Republicans and 142 independents. 

 According to the poll, 32% of Keystone State voters believe Biden is doing an “excellent” or “good” job, but his approval is lower than Trump’s and Barack Obama’s at the same point in their presidencies. 

 Trump faces trials this year on 91 federal and state criminal charges – from election subversion to stealing classified documents. Some political scientists view the election as historically not normal, but Berwood Yost, director of the poll, shares another perspective.

 “What makes this a normal election is the voters are going to judge the incumbent on his record and ability, then look at his challenger to determine whether he’s a viable candidate,” Yost said.

 Visit F&M Poll’s Key Findings for the complete poll results and analysis of voters’ sentiments on the latest issues and job approval ratings of elected officials.

"More voters believe President Biden has better judgment, is more trustworthy, and is closer to their views on values issues than Mr. Trump, while more voters believe Mr. Trump is better able to handle the economy and serve as commander-in-chief. "

Berwood Yost, director of the F&M Poll