Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s approval rating has slipped below 50% in a new poll from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County — the first time a public survey has shown the Democrat with less than majority support since he took office in 2023.

About 48% of Marylanders approve of the job Moore is doing, while 42% disapprove and 9% aren’t sure.

The poll released Wednesday represents a low-water mark for Moore, who is closing out his first term and seeking reelection this fall. UMBC polled 804 Maryland adults from March 17-22. Results have a margin of error of 3.5 points.

The downtick in approval is not surprising, given general distrust in government and growing frustration about the cost of living and state of the economy, said Mileah Kromer, director of UMBC’s Institute of Politics.

“There is certainly evidence that he has lost a little bit of ground with the public,” Kromer said. “But it’s him and everybody else.”

The last time Kromer polled Moore’s approval rating, in October, it came in at 52%, with 44% saying they disapproved.

The Banner measured Moore at 54% approval and 36% disapproval in an October poll conducted by OpinionWorks.

Those in the new UMBC poll who approved of Moore’s work cited his handling of the state’s economy, his leadership and integrity, and belief that he is working hard for Marylanders and standing up to Republican President Donald Trump.

Those who disapproved of the governor were likely to cite increased taxes and fees, poor leadership, excessive state spending, and cost-of-living increases.

Moore has seen a softening of support among voters who are unaffiliated or identify as independents, Kromer noted.

Unaffiliated voters offered just 39% approval in this poll, down from 42% in UMBC’s October poll and 47% in fall 2024.

That could provide an opening for a Republican challenger to copy former Gov. Larry Hogan’s strategy of winning over Republicans, independents and some soft Democrats to overcome the Democratic advantage in Maryland.

But even with the downtick in approval, Moore remains well positioned for his reelection bid. Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller began the year with $8 million in the bank for their campaign.

Republicans will pick their challenger to Moore in the June primary. The top contenders so far are Ed Hale Sr., a retired banker who defected from the Democratic Party for this race, and Dan Cox, a former state delegate who lost to Moore by 32 points in 2022. Neither candidate has Moore’s name recognition or fundraising prowess.

Kromer said Moore’s declining approval will likely have little effect on his chances of reelection if he doesn’t face a formidable opponent.

“I don’t think this will impact him at all in his electoral efforts,” she said. “Campaigns are about choices between candidates, not just evaluations of individuals.”