Governor Gavin Newsom’s performance has sparked a division among primary voters, as revealed by a recent poll conducted by California Post-McLaughlin Associates.
The survey indicated that approximately 50% of likely primary voters are dissatisfied with Newsom’s job performance, while close to 49% expressed approval. Notably, a small fraction, about 1.6%, remained undecided regarding their stance on the governor.
This poll, which reached out to 800 voters between May 26 and May 28, has a margin of error of 3.5% within a 95% confidence interval.
John McLaughlin, the pollster behind the survey, characterized Newsom as a “polarizing” figure in an interview with The California Post. “Gavin Newsom is polarizing. Only 49% of all voters approve of the job Gavin Newsom is doing, while 50% disapprove of the job he’s done, including 22% among Democrats,” he commented.
McLaughlin further noted the prevailing sentiment among Californians, stating, “Most Californians want change.”
“Most Californians want change,” McLaughlin added.
Newsom has yet to make an endorsement choice in California’s gubernatorial race. In the poll, Democrat billionaire Tom Steyer is tied with Republican Steve Hilton at 25% support, with Xavier Becerra coming in third with 19%.
McLaughlin noted that while Hilton is leading with Republicans and independents, Steyer and Becerra are battling it out for Democratic support. “Republicans and independents have put Steve Hilton among the leaders, but the real battle is among Steyer and Becerra for Democratic votes,” McLaughlin said.
“The lack of Democratic support for Hilton has him frozen. Democrats make up about half the electorate.
”This is the real primary within the primary, and Tom Steyer appears to be surging among Democrats.”
Newsom’s negative job approval rating also comes with heavy signals from voters that they believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Just 29% of those surveyed believed California was heading in the right direction, while about 56% said the state was on the wrong track.
The numbers don’t bode well with Newsom, who is likely looking to tout his success in California as part of his potential 2028 presidential bid. He has yet to reveal whether he will run for president, but the field of Democrats for the next presidential election is expected to be large.
On a local front in Los Angeles, the poll revealed voters prefer Spencer Pratt in the Los Angeles mayor’s race. Pratt now leads the field with 30.1% support, compared with 29.5% for incumbent Karen Bass, setting up a razor-thin race heading into next week’s primary.
Socialist councilwoman Nithya Raman sits in third place at 23.4%.
The California Post reached out to Newsom’s office for comment.
