New polling shows voters are backing President Donald Trump's decision to nominate Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next CDC director, and for Georgians, this one hits close to home. The agency is headquartered right here in Atlanta, which means who leads it matters in a way that goes beyond the usual Washington back-and-forth.
A Public Voice surveyed 800 likely Republican voters and 900 swing state voters between April 27 and April 30, 2026. Nearly two-thirds of Republicans (64%) supported Schwartz's nomination once they heard her background: a former Navy physician who believes keeping health decisions between patients and their doctors is non-negotiable. In swing states, 51% said learning more about her approach to personal health freedom made them more likely to back her.
President Trump has been consistent in his belief that personal health decisions should stay between patients and their doctors, and his choice of Schwartz reflects that commitment. The numbers back it up: 62% of Republicans say Trump's opinion on health policy matters more to them than Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s, compared to just 20% who say the opposite. That 42-point gap is a strong signal that the base is with the president on this one.
The poll also points to a clear and consistent theme across both groups: parental choice is a winning message. Voters want the government out of their personal health decisions. 77% of Republicans and 82% of swing state voters say government health agencies should not limit access to safe and effective healthcare options. 75% of Republicans and 77% of swing state voters say health decisions should be between a patient and their doctor, not dictated by Washington. And 68% of Republicans and 72% of swing state voters say restricting access to healthcare takes away people's ability to make informed decisions for their families.
