Gav’s got that sinking feeling

Newsom disapproval soars to 45%

Gov. Newsom has been kicked in the polls!

The latest Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey found 45% of voters disapprove of the governor’s job performance.

That’s the highest number since October 2024, and a six-point increase from December 2025

The poll of 1,000 registered voters gave Newsom had an approval rate of just 44%, a three-point drop from December, and the lowest since since October 2024, when he dipped to just 43%.

Newsom’s office did not respond to a request for comment regarding the poll.

Meanwhile, Republican Steve Hilton opened up a surprise lead in California’s governors race.

The Fox News contributor and staunch critic of Newsom is leading the crowded field with 17% support, according to the same poll.

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and GOP candidate Sheriff Chad Bianco are tied for second at 14%, followed by former Rep. Katie Porter at 10%.

Billionaire Tom Steyer trails one point behind her.

About 21% of voters remain undecided, a 10-point decrease from the last poll in December, with Hilton gaining 5 points since then.

“The Republican electorate in California is split between Steve Hilton (38%) and Chad Bianco (37%), while Hilton also picks up a plurality of independent voter support at 22%,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.

Hilton has raised the most campaign donations by far, with nearly $6 million.

Billionaire Steyer is funding his own campaign.

He has opposed the proposed billionaire tax, the proposed mileage tax, and criticized the handling of the Palisades Fire by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, the last candidate to join the race, only saw 3.4% support in the poll, putting him toward the bottom of the 12-candidate field.

As for Newsom, the poll also asked voters about the top issues facing Californians, with 37% citing the economy as their No. 1 concern — up three points from December.

Nineteen percent cited housing affordability as the state’s top issue.

Critics have argued that California’s high cost of living — particularly soaring housing prices, elevated gas costs, and rising insurance premiums — has worsened during Newsom’s tenure.

They point to strict environmental regulations, limits on new oil drilling permits, and slow housing construction as contributing factors to persistently high consumer prices.

A whopping 53% percent of voters said they have considered leaving the state over affordability concerns, the poll found.

The last time a Republican was elected governor in the Golden State was 2006, when Arnold Schwarzenegger won reelection.

Since then, critics have described the state capital Sacramento as a “one-party” political system. Business groups have also raised concerns about regulatory hurdles and taxation.