Voters like Newsom even as many think California is headed in wrong direction, new poll says

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s job approval rating has improved noticeably since February, according to a new survey from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

Fifty-three percent of registered California voters approve of the job the governor is doing. That’s up from 48% in February and 50% nearly a year ago. It is still far below the 64% who approved in Sept. 2020

Despite the favorable rating, voters largely feel that the state is heading in the wrong direction. More than half, 52%, said that the state is on the “wrong track,” compared to 40% who say things are heading in the right direction. That does mark a slight improvement from February, when 54% said the state was on the wrong track.

Among likely voters, Newsom holds a commanding lead over his Republican challenger in November, State Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber; Newsom was the preference of 52% of those surveyed, while just 25% said that they supported Dahle.

Newsom has the support of 80% of registered Democrats, while Dahle is backed by 71% of California Republicans.

The governor has the advantage of near-universal name recognition in the state, with 92% of registered voters able to offer an opinion about him. A majority of registered voters (58%) were unable to offer an opinion of Dahle.

“Newsom is in a strong position for reelection, with Republicans facing an uphill climb given the huge partisan advantage that the Democrats hold over the GOP in party registration across the state.” IGS co-director Eric Schickler said in a statement.

The poll of 9,254 registered California voters was conducted online in English and Spanish August 9-15 with a margin of error was +/- 2%. It was paid for in part by the Los Angeles Times.

This story was originally published August 23, 2022 at 12:57 PM.