A recent poll indicates that many California voters believe Governor Gavin Newsom (D) is prioritizing potential presidential aspirations over his responsibilities as governor.
According to a survey conducted by the Institute of Government Studies (IGS) at the University of California, 54% of Berkeley participants think Newsom has spent more time focusing on his prospects for a presidential run in his past two years than on addressing the needs of Californians directly.
In contrast, 26% of those surveyed feel he is more dedicated to governance than to seeking a national role.
Newsom, who has gained prominence in Democratic politics recently, has launched a podcast that features notable guests aligned with former President Trump. This move raises eyebrows about his political ambitions, suggesting he might be diverting attention from his gubernatorial duties while keeping possibilities open for a White House run.
Speculations surrounding Newsom as a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential election have surfaced, although he has downplayed those discussions.
Voter approval for Newsom is lukewarm, with only 46% of respondents in IGS polls expressing satisfaction with his overall performance as governor. Many also share concerns about the economic outlook in California.
The IGS survey was conducted from April 21 to 28, including responses from 6,201 registered voters, with a margin of error of approximately two percentage points.
