An overwhelming percentage of Republican voters say their party needs new leadership in Congress, according to a new poll.
A total of 73.4% of GOP voters answered "yes" — the same percentage as independents — when asked by The Trafalgar Group/Convention of the States Action poll, "After the results of the 2022 midterm elections do you think Republicans need new leadership in Congress?"
Another 21.5% of GOP voters answered "not sure," and only 5.1% said the party does not need new leadership on Capitol Hill.
Republicans won the majority in the next Congress despite a disappointing performance in this month's midterms.
"Even before the election our polling showed voters supported Republican policies but doubted Republican leadership, and now, after the underperformance of Republican candidates in the midterms, that doubt appears to have deepened," said Convention of States President Mark Meckler.
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Wednesday was reelected the Senate's Republican leader.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., won his conference vote to become the next speaker but will need approval from the entire chamber — something that remains uncertain.
Meckler said he expects McCarthy to prevail, though pressure will be on the new leader to earn the trust of GOP voters and independents.
"As Rep. Kevin McCarthy prepares to assume the role of speaker of the House; it is very clear that voters, especially Republicans and independents, want to see more assertive leadership from the GOP than the stereotypical, subpar behavior that has been the norm for several cycles," Meckler said.
"McCarthy is going to be speaker, but he's really going to have to step up his performance if he wants to garner the trust and support of the American people, especially independents and Republicans who poll identically on this issue."
The Trafalgar Group/Convention of States Action survey was conducted Nov. 16-20 among 1,084 likely voters.
Overall, 71.6% of respondents said Republicans need new leadership in Congress, 9.3% disagreed and 19.1% were not sure.
Among independents, 73.4% said yes, 8.4% said no and 18.2% were not sure.
Democrat voters actually were less inclined to express a change needed in Republican leadership, with 68.5% saying new leaders are needed, 14.1% saying no, and 17.5% not sure.
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