**Gov. Tim Walz More Favored Than Senator JD Vance in Key Midwestern States**

In a head-to-head comparison, Minnesota's Gov. Tim Walz is viewed more favorably than Senator JD Vance of Ohio by likely voters in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. According to recent polls conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, enjoys a more positive reception compared to his Republican counterpart.

The polls reveal that 44 percent of likely voters across the three states view Walz favorably, whereas 41 percent hold an unfavorable opinion. In contrast, Vance is viewed favorably by 42 percent but unfavorably by 48 percent of likely voters. These findings come as the two candidates prepare for a debate on Tuesday, aiming to appeal to voters in the crucial Midwestern region.

Notably, voters perceive Gov. Walz as more honest, trustworthy, and caring compared to Senator Vance. Around half of the respondents believe that Walz is "honest and trustworthy" and "cares about people like me," contrasting with the more negative sentiments toward Vance. About a third of the voters do not ascribe these positive qualities to Walz, while a larger proportion feels these descriptors do not apply to Vance.

In terms of broader support, Walz appears to be the only candidate from either major presidential ticket to maintain more supporters than detractors across the three states. Vice President Kamala Harris, running for the presidential seat, holds a favorability rating of 48 percent with 50 percent viewing her unfavorably. Former President Donald J. Trump, the Republican contender, is viewed favorably by 47 percent but has a higher unfavorable rating at 52 percent.

Senator Vance's best numbers are unsurprisingly found in his home state of Ohio, where he garners a 45 percent favorability against a 47 percent unfavorable rating. However, even in Ohio, Walz’s detractors slightly outnumber his supporters, with favorability ratings at 41 percent against 42 percent unfavorable.

Interestingly, the familiarity factor plays a role, as more voters have formed an opinion about Vance, known for his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," than about Walz. Sixteen percent of likely voters in the three states either have not heard of Walz or are unsure of their opinion, compared to only ten percent for Vance.

These favorability ratings align with national trends. As of late September, data aggregated by FiveThirtyEight indicates that Walz is viewed favorably by approximately 40 percent of voters nationwide, compared to Vance's 35 percent. Both candidates face the challenge and opportunity of shifting public perception as they step into the national spotlight during their upcoming debate, sponsored by CBS News.