NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The biannual statewide Vanderbilt University poll was released this week, and the results showed a wide divide between men and women on several issues.
The Vanderbilt University poll, which surveyed 1,003 Tennessee voters between April 26 and May 9, not only shows divided opinions on politics but also some unexpected results when it comes to key elections.
One example is this November’s Senate race between Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and her Democratic challenger, State Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville). While Blackburn leads overall, 51% to 40%, that’s not the case with women voters, who support Democrat Gloria Johnson over Blackburn 49% to 43%. The poll’s co-director told News 2 the difference is a bit surprising.
“I’m not saying Marsha Blackburn is in danger of losing in any way, shape or form, but it does suggest something is shifting in the state, which is a reflection and response to some of the action, and in some cases inaction, after the Covenant shooting, when the public strongly desired reform but the state legislature refused to give it,” said John Geer, co-director of the poll.
Poll questions about expanding Medicaid also revealed stark differences in attitudes between men and women. Republicans in Congress have repeatedly blocked the expansion of government health insurance to low-income Americans.
Polls show that a majority of state voters, about 62%, support expanding Medicaid, with 70% of women favoring it compared with 54% of men.
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But the differences in opinion on health care don’t end there: When it comes to hot-button issues like abortion, 57% of female voters identify themselves as completely pro-life or somewhat pro-life, while only 46% of male voters say the same.
“I think this gender gap is even stronger here in Tennessee than it’s been for years, and I think it reflects the cumulative effect of some policies that have been enacted both at the national and global levels, and at the state level that are just a little bit more extreme than what the public wants, particularly women want,” Gear said.
