54% of Californians say Newsom cares more about the White House than their problems

Sacramento, California – A new poll from the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) reveals a growing concern among California voters that Governor Gavin Newsom prioritizes his national political ambitions over the state. According to the survey, 54% of registered voters believe Newsom is focused more on bolstering his profile for a potential White House run than addressing California’s pressing issues. Only 26% said he’s concentrating on solving the state’s problems.

The poll, conducted from April 21–28 and co-sponsored by The Los Angeles Times, included responses from 6,201 registered voters and has a margin of error of two percentage points. It reflects increasing skepticism about the governor’s political trajectory as he enters his final two years in office due to term limits.

“People kind of look at him as being very ambitious,” said Mark DiCamillo, poll director. Despite persistent speculation, Newsom has repeatedly stated that he has no immediate plans to run for president. Yet, his recent moves — including launching a national podcast that features controversial Republican guests — have only intensified speculation.

Newsom’s approval ratings are evenly split. Forty-six percent of voters approve of his performance as governor, while an equal percentage disapprove. According to DiCamillo, these ratings have remained largely unchanged since October 2023 and are 15 points lower than former Governor Jerry Brown’s approval at a similar point in his term.

The poll also showed mixed opinions on Newsom’s ability to represent California effectively when dealing with the Trump administration. Voters were nearly evenly divided, with 48% expressing confidence and 45% saying they lacked confidence in his leadership in federal matters.

Newsom’s progressive policies, particularly on immigration and healthcare, remain controversial. His administration’s move to expand Medi-Cal — the state’s low-income health insurance program — to all undocumented immigrants has received mixed reactions. While a majority supports coverage for children under 18 and adults over 50, support declines for adults aged 18 to 49.

The expansion has placed a significant financial burden on the state, with costs exceeding initial projections by billions of dollars. As Newsom prepares to unveil a revised budget plan in mid-May, some expect cuts to the program. While he hasn’t signaled plans to remove entire age groups, traditional options for reducing Medi-Cal costs include limiting eligibility, imposing co-pays, or capping enrollment.

The IGS poll highlights how partisan divides continue to shape perceptions of Newsom’s leadership, leaving many Californians uncertain about the governor’s priorities.