Newsom Approval Ratings Stalled in California Poll

A new survey found Gavin Newsom faces significant disapproval among independent and rural California voters.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Political Parties

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a split silhouette of California, evoking deep political polarization in state approval ratings. — Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval rating sits at 45% amid persistent dissatisfaction among independent and rural California voters, a new survey reveals. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should a politician's home-state approval ratings determine their viability for a presidential run?

Governor Gavin Newsom holds a 45% job approval rating among California voters, while 46% of those surveyed disapprove of his performance. The poll highlights deep partisan divides and significant dissatisfaction among independent residents.

Why it matters

The findings underscore a challenging landscape for the governor, particularly with voters outside his core Democratic base. High disapproval rates in rural areas and among independents could complicate a potential path toward a national presidential nomination.

A recent poll of 625 registered California voters shows a 45% approval rating for Governor Gavin Newsom, countered by a 46% disapproval rating. Among Democrats, 74% approve of his performance, while 93% of Republicans expressed disapproval.

The players

Gavin Newsom

He is the current Governor of California who is facing mixed approval ratings as he contemplates a potential bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

NBCUniversal Local and Telemundo Station Group

This media organization conducted and released the recent survey regarding California voter sentiment.

The details

The survey identified that 56% of independent respondents are dissatisfied with the governor, while rural Northern California voters showed an approval rating of only 28%. Additionally, 66% of California Democrats support Newsom as a presidential nominee, though 15% oppose his candidacy.

The voter survey was conducted from September 21 to 24, 2026.
The polling results were released on October 2, 2026.

Political Context

The current polling reflects similar regional and demographic divides to those observed during the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election. These results highlight a persistent challenge for the governor in maintaining broad support beyond the state's traditional Democratic strongholds.

The survey results indicate a divided electorate that may signal shifts in upcoming local and statewide policy priorities. Residents should watch for how these approval trends influence the legislative focus of the governor during his remaining term in office.

The takeaway

The latest polling suggests that the governor faces a significant hurdles in uniting independent and rural voters who remain critical of his administration. Building broader consensus will be essential for any future presidential aspirations within the Democratic party.