In Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s final two years in office, over 50% of state residents believe he’s more focused on running for president in 2028 than addressing the state’s issues, according to a new poll.
With the Democrat Party struggling to unite behind a single leader and message, speculation has already begun over who could seek the 2028 nomination —Newsom among them. A Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) poll conducted April 21–28 said 54% of the 6,201 registered voters believe Newsom is “doing things that might benefit him as a possible candidate for president,” while just 26% think he’s “governing the state and helping to solve its problems.”
Of the 54%, a total of 40% were Democrats, 83% were Republicans, and 52% had no party preference. In comparison, the 26% who said he’s focused on state issues included 41% Democrats, 6% Republicans, and 22% with no party preference. Another 20% said they had no opinion.
In February, Newsom launched his podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” saying it would feature conversations with “some of the biggest leaders and architects in the MAGA movement” to foster engagement between the parties. Since then, the governor has hosted conservative figures like Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and former Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon.
Newsom has opposed some progressive policies. He, for instance, has said that biological men competing in women’s sports is “deeply unfair.” California, though, continues to grapple with high rates of homelessness and crime and a growing government role in education. (RELATED: Hollywood Bigwigs Want Middle Class Americans To Subsidize Garbage Movies)
Despite California ranking among the top 10 states for homelessness, Newsom has spent billions on the issue over the past four years with little improvement. An April 2024 audit said the state lacked data on the cost-effectiveness of its homelessness programs, even after spending nearly $24 billion over the past five fiscal years.
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference at Raleigh Studios unveiling a vast expansion of California’s Film and Television Credit Program (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Major companies like Chevron, SpaceX and Charles Schwab have also moved their headquarters out of California, with some citing the state’s policies and high taxes as key reasons.
In an effort to retain business in the state, Newsom sent cell phones programmed with his direct number to some business owners in March. The governor also broke with Democratic lawmakers in April, criticizing the Assembly Public Safety Committee for blocking harsher penalties for soliciting or buying sex from 16- and 17-year-olds.
According to Berkeley’s IGS poll, Newsom’s approval rating has fluctuated since he took office in 2019. He started with 57% approval in June 2019, peaking at 64% in September 2020, then dropping to 44% by October 2023. As of January 2024, he sits at 46%.
When asked whether Newsom can effectively advocate for California’s interests under the Trump administration, 48% of respondents said they were confident, while 45% said they were not.
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