California Governor Newsom Faces Tax Dilemma Amid Poll Results
California Governor Gavin Newsom is grappling with a potential conflict as he navigates his stance on a proposed tax targeting billionaires while aiming to maintain support from left-leaning voters ahead of the 2028 presidential election. Recent polling data, released Tuesday, sheds light on this challenging situation.
A survey conducted by Impact Research for the Left Coalition indicates that if Newsom continues to resist the billionaire tax initiative, his national favorability could plummet by as much as 28 points. The poll revealed that 40% of voters believe his popularity would decline significantly.
Shockingly, among Democratic primary voters, 56% view him unfavorably compared to 44% of all California voters.
Igor Volsky, campaign director for the organization Greedy Taxes, stated, “This poll shows that everyday people view the influence of billionaires as a direct assault on their lives, inflating costs for housing, health care, and child care.” The group expressed that Newsom is facing a notable political backlash for not accommodating the billionaire class.
Progressives have been particularly disgruntled by Newsom’s opposition to a 5% tax on billionaires, a measure proposed by the labor group SEIU-United Health Care Workers West. Advocates argue that the funding from this tax is crucial for health and education programs threatened by federal budget cuts, although the proposal isn’t currently slated for the November ballot.
Newsom maintains that this tax is merely a short-term fix that might lead to adverse effects on the state’s economy, potentially stifling innovation and driving businesses away. High-profile figures, including Google co-founder Sergey Brin and former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, have already left California.
“I believe we’re going to lose this fight—there’s no doubt about it,” Newsom remarked, referencing the New York Times. He emphasized the need to take necessary actions to protect the nation.
Many wealthy Californians, including Brin, are now directing financial support toward efforts aimed at opposing the tax if it appears on the ballot this year. However, polls indicate that upwards of 60% of California voters back the idea of a wealth tax, even if it means some businesses might exit and jobs could be lost.
Additionally, a nationwide poll from Impact Research suggests that around 62% of voters prefer candidates who advocate raising taxes on billionaires, a sentiment that increases to 83% among Democratic primary voters.
To highlight this discussion, “Tax the Greedy Billionaires” is initiating a significant advertising campaign targeting Newsom in early primary states, seeking to align him with figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, who is actively campaigning on this tax issue.
Polls indicate that Sanders enjoys a higher approval rating than Newsom within California.
The polling took place between February 20 and 25, surveying 800 registered voters nationwide, with an additional 600 voters from California included in the sample.
