Is Gavin Newsom looked at poorly amongst California citizens?
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Executive summary
Recent statewide polls show a majority of Californians approve of Governor Gavin Newsom’s job performance — PPIC reports 55% of likely voters and 54–55% of adults approve [1] [2] — while other surveys find narrower or mixed figures (Emerson reports 47% approval, 39% disapproval) and pockets of stronger disapproval at earlier points in 2025 [3] [4]. Coverage attributes his rebound to a clash with President Trump and Democratic electoral wins that boosted his favorability, even as many Californians continue to say the state is on the “wrong track” [5] [6] [7].
1. How popular is Newsom right now? — Majority approval in multiple reputable polls
Statewide research from the Public Policy Institute of California shows a majority of Californians approve of Newsom: 55% of likely voters and about 54–55% of adults report approval in recent PPIC releases and summaries [1] [2]. PPIC’s data is repeatedly cited by outlets noting that Newsom’s approval has recovered from earlier lows in 2025 and that approval is now above 50% among broad groups, with higher marks among Democrats and urban regions [1] [4].
2. Not a unanimous picture — other polls find narrower support or earlier slumps
Other polls and aggregators show a more mixed picture. An Emerson College poll cited a 47% job approval and 39% disapproval, suggesting a smaller margin of support than PPIC reports [3]. UC Irvine and other surveys documented a sharp dip mid‑year (as low as 59% disapproval in one snapshot) followed by recovery after high‑profile events [8] [6]. DecisionDesk aggregator pages and media summaries note variation across polls and samples [9].
3. What drove the rebound — political context matters
News media and polling analysts link his approval gains to political events: his public confrontation with President Donald Trump over immigration raids and his role in campaigning for Proposition 50 both raised his profile and favorability, especially among Democrats and independents sympathetic to his stance [5] [6] [10]. Politico and NewsNation reported that anti‑Trump sentiment and Democratic election successes in late 2025 helped Newsom’s ratings surge [7] [5].
4. Where approval is strongest and weakest — geographic and partisan splits
PPIC and other reporting show pronounced partisan and regional divides: Democrats and residents of Los Angeles and the Bay Area give Newsom his highest scores, while white Californians and Central Valley residents register lower approval rates [1] [4]. Republican areas and voters in certain districts remain strongly negative, even as statewide majorities tilt positive [1].
5. Why “is he looked at poorly?” is the wrong single question — nuance matters
Asking whether Newsom is “looked at poorly” conflates a range of measures. Multiple, reputable polls show a majority approve of his job overall [1] [2], yet other surveys and mid‑year data captured significant dissatisfaction and regional variation [3] [8]. The correct framing is that his standing recovered from mid‑2025 lows and now polls positively in many samples, but large pockets of the state and parts of the electorate still view his performance negatively [4] [6].
6. Competing interpretations in the media — rebound vs. continuing vulnerability
News outlets present two competing narratives: one emphasizes a clear rebound in popularity tied to national politics and ballot victories (Politico, NewsNation, AP) and another highlights lingering concerns about the state’s direction despite his approval edge [7] [5] [10]. For example, polls showing approval gains coexist with widespread voter belief that California is on the “wrong track,” a tension reporters flag repeatedly [6] [11].
7. Limitations and what the sources don’t say
Available sources do not mention post‑December 2025 polling trends beyond the cited surveys or a consistent longitudinal model reconciling all poll differences; they also do not provide a single consensus “true” approval number. Polls differ by sample (adults, registered, likely voters), timing, and question wording, which explains varying percentages across sources [3] [1] [2].
8. Bottom line for readers
Multiple reputable polls show Gavin Newsom is not broadly “looked at poorly” statewide; rather, he currently enjoys majority approval in PPIC and several other surveys while facing meaningful partisan and regional opposition and mixed results in some polls [1] [3] [8]. The dominant drivers of his recent standing are high‑profile clashes with Trump and Democratic electoral wins, which have lifted his favorability even as many Californians remain worried about the state’s direction [7] [5] [6].