A majority of Californians believe the state is “on the wrong track,” according to a poll.
A UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll found only 36% of the state’s residents say California is on the “right path.”
Mark DiCamillo, director of the poll, said there is a lot of “changing going on in the public’s mind. I think they’re focusing less on COVID, more on the other long-standing issues that the state has been facing.”
He added, “The state has some major issues, and he’s the governor. The buck stops there.”
The poll shows only 48% of registered voters approve of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) job performance compared to 47% who disapprove.
The Los Angeles Times noted the number is down from a 64% approval rating Newsom received in September 2020.
A spokesman for Newsom’s reelection campaign, Nathan Click, said the governor’s “actions saved lives and provided real help to families as they faced uncertainty” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He continued, “He remains 100% focused on providing solutions to California’s most vexing challenges — from the pandemic and climate change to homelessness and public safety.”
When it comes to crime and public safety, 51% of respondents believe Newsom is doing a “poor job.”
DiCamillo explained, “There’s a long history of state residents being concerned about crime. It hasn’t been that prominent in recent years, but now appears to be coming back.”
He pointed out the “issue has become much more prominent, and Newsom is much more vulnerable.”
The poll was conducted from February 3 to 10 and surveyed 8,937 California registered voters.
Earlier this month, Newsom made headlines after several took issue with his failure to wear a mask at an NFL game, as IJR reported.
“I took the mask off for a brief second. But I encourage people to continue to wear them,” Newsom told reporters.