Gallup in 2006 found that just 22 percent of Americans held state governors in high esteem for their moral character, compared to 26 percent of respondents who said governors' ethics were mediocre.

The poll ranked governors 14th out of 23 professions rated for honesty and ethics.

The sex scandal that has thrust Spitzer into the national spotlight this week would likely further erode the reputation of governors, Gallup said.

Amid allegations that he patronized a high-priced prostitution ring, Spitzer announced Wednesday he is resigning effective Monday.

The poll of 1,009 national adults was conducted Dec. 8-10, 2006. The maximum margin of sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.