The state’s constitution bars McDonnell from running for reelection in November. Va. poll: McDonnell approval climbs

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s approval ratings remain high in a poll released Monday, despite a reported FBI investigation into his relationship with a top donor.

The Washington Post poll found a 6-point uptick in the Republican’s approval rating since last year, and 64 percent of Virginian voters now approve of his job performance. Among Democrats, his approval rating has spiked from 38 percent in September to 52 percent now.


Virginia has one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates at 5.3 percent, and McDonnell recently helped craft a landmark compromise to increase transportation funding.

Both the Post and The Associated Press have reported that the FBI is investigating McDonnell’s relationship with Star Scientific CEO Jonnie R. Williams. Williams reportedly helped pay for the catering at McDonnell’s daughter’s wedding.

Despite the investigation, only 16 percent of Virginians disagreed when asked if McDonnell had “high personal moral and ethical standards.” Fifty-nine percent of voters believed he did. A quarter didn’t know. The scandal hasn’t caught the eye of the state’s voters, with only a third saying they are following it even “somewhat closely.”

The state’s constitution bars McDonnell from running for reelection in November, but he is considered a potential 2016 presidential candidate. On Saturday, the Post released polling showing Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli beating former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, 46 percent to 41 percent, among registered voters in the race to succeed McDonnell.

The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted from April 29 to May 2. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points for the sample of registered voters.