A new survey by Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) finds Governor Gavin Newsom maintaining solid approval among Californians while President Donald Trump faces broad disapproval across the state.
As California heads into the 2026 gubernatorial election year, the survey titled ‘Californians and Their Government’ shows the political mood in the state.
According to the findings, voters express stronger confidence in state leaders than in federal institutions, particularly the president and Congress.
Newsom Sees 10-Point Rise in Approval
The PPIC poll, conducted from November 13 to 19, 2025, finds 54% of California adults and 56% of likely voters approve of Newsom’s job performance, making it a relatively bright spot amid low marks for national leadership.
Newsom’s approval has climbed from 46% in June to 56% in December, making it a 10-point gain.
Poll analysts point to several likely drivers such as voter confidence in his handling of state issues, contrast with federal policies under President Trump, the passage of Proposition 50, and stronger support among independents.
Trump’s Approval Remains Deeply Low in California
By contrast, President Trump’s approval in California remains low at 25% among adults and 29% among likely voters.
Californians report frustration with national politics, and cite political extremism, perceived threats to democracy and sharp federal actions as factors that likely contribute to Trump’s low ratings and the growing divide between state and federal approval.
The survey shows a bleak mood among Californians regarding national politics.
Roughly three in four Californians say the country is headed in the wrong direction, and 71% expect poor economic conditions over the next year. Worries about rising prices, particularly groceries and household essentials, are widespread.
Federal institutions fare poorly, with just 18% approving of Congress and 29% approving of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Housing and Cost of Living Remain Concerns For Californians
Despite the recent increase in support for state leadership, Californians remain worried about local challenges.
About two-thirds say housing affordability is a major problem, and many report that high housing costs are putting real pressure on their household finances.
Cost-of-living concerns, driven by inflation and everyday expenses, continue to shape how residents feel about life in the state. Yet Newsom’s relatively strong approval suggests many voters distinguish frustration over structural problems from their assessment of his job performance.
How California Views Immigration Enforcement and Federal Actions
The PPIC poll finds 72% disapprove of the job U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is doing, and about two-thirds oppose deploying National Guard troops for domestic law enforcement in a U.S. city.
Fifty eight percent of adults and 59% of likely voters also back recent protests against ICE.
Moreover, 70% adults and 70% likely voters and favor extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that are set to expire at year’s end.
Voter enthusiasm is elevated, with 56% of likely voters saying they are more enthusiastic about voting than usual. In addition, 65% saying they prefer Democratic control of Congress.
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The fact that Donald Trump has anybody that supports him boggles the mind. Never have we seen the level of corruption, incompetence and hypocrisy at this level
Oldwave:: You wrote exactly what I was thinking when I read “Trump’s approval remains deeply low . . .” Ilhan Omar (the U.S. representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district) stated recently that “Trump is a national embarrassment.” I beg to differ: Trump is embarrassing himself and all Americans, worldwide. How did our great country come to this? How did we end up with this assclown as our President? Why hasn’t the 25th amendment been enacted?
OLDWAVE – His support is based on the liars and bigots that soil this site. Mind boggling, but sadly…. not surprising in a country with such low education and critical thinking skills.
Please dims, run Newsom for POTUS.
Careful what you wish for there, JarJar. Trump has swung the pendulum so far to the right it broke the glass. His approval rating is underwater at 36%. He has screwed over most of his voters and they’re beginning to understand that. You guys are toast.
Nobody ever said you weren’t funny!
ZIPS – nothing funny about the truth.
No one ever said you were smart.
Newsom and his progressives have ensured California is a fiscal train wreck, having gone from a $14.8 Billion Dollar surplus when Newsom took office to $285 in unfunded liabilities today.
California schools rank 29th nationally.
Compared to the US average, the violent crime rate in 2024 in California was 35.3% higher, and its rate of property crime was 18.1% higher.
California high speed rail disaster is $128 Billion Dollars with not one mile of track on the ground.
Thanks Newsom, we’ve seen enough and after you destroyed California the rest of the nation isn’t buying.
ZIPS – cite your crime rates stats.
As we saw with KAPO yesterday, relying on the DHS will make you a liar.
Leave
We need to get rid of the ICE goons. They seem to be the perpetrators of most of the violence lately.
How is this news? CA is blue all the way when we’re talking about presidential elections over the past few DECADES. Trump does well in a few counties here and there – rural, farming, and the OC are examples. This is nothing new and of zero surprise. Newsom if he runs for President will come across as a wealthy, elitist, and entitled Californian in the eyes of the rest of the nation. Good luck with that.
BASIC – when a NEW survey comes out and has NEW results, it is NEWS.
Stop crying, liar. Don’t you have some coloring books to finish up before nap time?
The GOP’s preferred opponent for the 2028 presidential election BY FAR is Gavin Newsom. If he is the (D) candidate, great swaths of the Dem support base will not come out to vote. The only hope is that Mayor Pete will get the nod, and then there will be a definite chance of a regime change at the White House. Pete Buttigieg will wipe the floor with any GOP contender, especially on the debate stage. Newsom, on the other hand, comes across as far too slick, far too elite, and too removed from everyday folks. The GOP is pushing polls showing Newsom in the lead….hmmm, that should tell ya something right there.
Bend those knees!
Newsome is an absolute failure in every sense of the word. The perfect candidate for the dems and the lefty libs love him.
STEVE – yes, us liberals do like a guy who stands up to Trump and has a vision for a healthier and more inclusive nation. Only bootlickers and bigots would consider him a failure.
Who is this Newsome fellow the low-information commenters keep harping on?
I think you are wrong about that. At least in California, a lot of lefty libs don’t like him – myself included – he’s too conservative. I mean, he’s better than any Republican option, but he’s not my favorite. I’m a little annoyed that he’s been getting Trump’s goat with the tweet wars. I don’t even like Gavin, but the tweet wars are making me like him.
MM1970 – exactly, he really IS far from “lefty lib,” but the inbetweeners that will decide the next election (liberal conservatives) and the far right who refuse to vote to save our country but rather to “make a statement” (like they did with Biden/Kamala), don’t like him either.
I think it’s awesome how he’s “fighting” Trump with his trolling. It’s about time someone gave him a taste of his own medicine.
It’s ALWAYS projection with you RWers.
Go Gov U-Haul !!
It doesn’t matter if Californians like Newsom, I definitely do, but he’s never going to appeal to the rest of America. The Dems will lose that contest, big time. There are FAR better contenders for 2028….. let’s hope we choose wisely, and end America’s worldwide embarrassment, delete this worst chapter in recent history.
Good point. Even though Newsom is hardly “far left,” the fake right media has made him out to be and most of our country is too poorly educated to think for themselves. We need a more “centrist” Dem candidate (even though Newsome IS).
We need to be SMART this time around. Put up someone beyond reproach. Someone smart, articulate, and without scandal or taint from the mindless Trump media. Not sure we’ll find anyone to match that last criteria though.
Maybe someone who would in ordinary times even be considered Republican? Whatever we do, we need to do it right. I don’t think our democracy will survive another 4 years of this kind of mayhem and corruption.
I think Pete B. would wipe the floor with anyone in a debate, and I would support him for POTUS 100%, but will he pass muster with the hypo-christians, conservatives and communities of color?…Doubtful. It’s way too too soon to figure out who can go the distance. I would love to see a woman, person of color, or both, it’s time…. but, if an insanely rich, white male governor of a mid western state throws his hat into the ring….well, if he has a shot, I’m there. #WhomeverItTakesToWIN
So…no one yet but we’ll wait and see. Who is the rich midwestern white governor guy you would support?
BASIC – where do you get off thinking you’re owed an explanation on anything? You literally drop lies and run away, just about every day here.
Why do you need to know who people want to run? So you can lie about them and make up false information? Remember what you used to say? Just shut up and vote, right?
None of this will affect you.
Really amazing that ‘Basic’ has no clue whom I was referring to!!!
BI Guy is clueless on any topic not whispered into his ear by con social media.
Curious, who are your “FAR better contenders for 2028”? Names…
Anyone but another racist, convicted felon who’s also a rapist would be a start. Not many who fit that bill on your side though.
“Californians report frustration…”
Yeah that about says it all in a nutshell. LOL….
BASICNOBRAINER – yeah, like other intelligent and honest people, Californians are frustrated with Trump (and your kind’s) constant lies, corruption, cruelty and violation of laws and the norms of civilized society. That it is somehow news to you is even funnier than you “laughing” at it.
Time to put any and all differences aside. This will allow us to select and elect leaders who actually care about the people, not only about themselves and/or those who donate money to them. Time to end the madness! If there’s a will, there is a way…that’s something that we should ALL agree upon.