More than half of Californians say they approve of how Gov. Gavin Newsom is handling his job, according to a recent study from Public Policy Institute of California.
The PPIC’s Statewide Survey, released in February, posed questions about California, President Donald Trump and the federal government. According to its methodology, the study was conducted between Feb. 4 and 11 and was based on findings from 1,589 adult residents in the state.
The survey found that 52% of voters and 55% of likely voters approved of how Newsom handles his job, while 47% of adults and 45% of likely voters disapproved.
It’s a slight improvement for the governor, whose approval rating was lower last October (44% adults, 47% likely voters), according to PPIC.
Additionally, 79% of Democrats approved of Newsom, while 90% of Republicans and 56% of independents disapproved.
Newsom’s approval is the highest in Los Angeles (61%), followed by the San Francisco Bay Area (54%), while majorities in other regions disapprove. Half or more across most demographic groups approve of Newsom except for white people (45%), Asian Americans (48%) and residents with some college education (48%), according to the survey.
When it comes to the state legislature, Californians are split, with 49% approving and 49% disapproving of the lawmakers. Findings among likely voters are similar.
The study comes as Newsom’s second term is winding down. He was elected in 2018 and is currently completing his second term. However, due to term limits, he can’t run again.
Currently, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, former Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, former state Controller Betty Yee, former Los Angeles Mayor and Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have all entered the 2026 California governor race.
Richard Grenell, a Trump administration official, said last month that he would consider entering the 2026 California governor race if former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris joins the growing list of candidates.
The complete PPIC study can be viewed here.
