Gov. Josh Shapiro finds himself in a strange position — voters like him, though they’re not quite sure why.

The Commonwealth Foundation’s quarterly Common Ground in the Commonwealth poll saw the governor earn a 61% favorable rating compared to last season, but his disapproval rating rose in tandem by 5 points to 29%. Shapiro, data showed, had the only approval rating over 50% of any statewide official.

One reason for his popularity may be he’s made himself available around the state, including a visit to Warren County in August after the search for Michael Burham wrapped up. Even if people can’t put their finger on how Shapiro is doing meeting campaign promises or dealing with a divided legislature, it’s easier to like a governor you see rather than a governor you simply read about or see in a clip on the news.

There is a big opportunity for Shapiro, however, to secure a major accomplishment by bringing the impasse over school funding to a close and finally closing out this year’s state budget. A plurality of voters, 44%, said Shapiro “is ultimately responsible for making sure the state budget gets finalized” — but only 17% blamed him the most for the state lacking a budget (24% blamed the Pennsylvania House and 24% blamed the Senate). While the state Legislature rightly takes the blame for the budget impasse, Shapiro could seize a role in bringing the sides together and negotiating a settlement that works for all sides.

Given Republicans’ and Democrats’ propensity to talk past each other on matters of policy, an ability to find a middle ground would be a noteworthy win for the governor — especially if he doesn’t tow the party line and instead finds a solution that treads a middle ground.