Napa, CA – A new poll conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies has found that a significant majority of California voters believe Governor Gavin Newsom is prioritizing his potential presidential candidacy over his duties as the state’s governor. According to the poll, by a margin of more than two-to-one (54% to 26%), voters think Newsom is more focused on actions that could help his future political ambitions than on addressing the issues facing the state.
The results, which reflect the sentiments of voters across California, suggest a growing skepticism regarding Newsom’s leadership during his final two years as governor. Notably, 83% of Republican respondents, 52% of independents, and 40% of Democrats expressed the belief that Newsom is directing more attention to his presidential run than to governing California. In contrast, only 6% of Republicans, 22% of independents, and 41% of Democrats felt that Newsom was concentrating on the state’s problems and solutions.
Mark DiCamillo, director of the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, emphasized the stark division in perceptions, stating that the poll reflects a widespread belief that Newsom’s ambitions may be overshadowing his role in Sacramento. The findings also underscore a significant challenge for Newsom as he approaches the final stretch of his gubernatorial term, with increasing scrutiny of his priorities.
The poll further delved into Californians’ views on a range of issues, including their opinions on the impact of former President Donald Trump’s policies on the state. A majority of voters (64%) believe that Trump’s tariffs will harm California’s businesses and agriculture, while only 20% think the policies will have a positive effect.
When it comes to broader state concerns, Californians expressed a general disapproval of Trump-era policies, with respondents believing that these policies will negatively affect key areas such as Medi-Cal, illegal immigration, climate change, public K-12 education, and higher education. A significant number of voters also felt that these policies would harm state initiatives related to water conservation and high-speed rail. The sentiment was overwhelmingly negative, with respondents generally indicating a preference for policies that would protect the state’s resources and public programs.
However, opinions were more divided when it came to the impact of Trump administration policies on the state’s oil and gas industry. Voters were closely split, with 35% predicting a negative impact, 32% a positive impact, and 33% expressing mixed feelings or no opinion.
In terms of Governor Newsom’s approval ratings, the poll shows little change from earlier this year. The percentage of respondents who strongly approve or strongly disapprove of his leadership has shifted slightly, but there has been no significant change in his overall job approval.
As Newsom’s tenure as governor winds down, the results of this poll suggest that Californians are deeply concerned about his focus on national politics and his ability to address the pressing issues facing the state. With a growing sense that his presidential aspirations are taking precedence over state governance, Newsom may face continued scrutiny from voters as he navigates the final two years of his term.