Politics

Polls Show Gavin Newsom Approval Rating Rising

By Jake Beardslee · December 9, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s favorability has climbed sharply as he intensifies his public clashes with President Donald Trump, renewing speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid. A new poll shows Newsom’s overall approval rating at 56 percent—an increase of 10 points since June—with support among California Democrats reaching 82 percent.

The governor added fuel to the national conversation this morning by announcing he will publish a memoir next year. During the announcement, Newsom addressed his public image directly, saying, “A lot of people look at me, the stark white shirt, the blue suit and yeah, the gelled hair and they think, ‘Oh, I know this guy. I know this guy better than I ever want to know.’ I get it. This is the story of a kid who always felt like he wasn’t quite enough.”

Newsom’s rising approval comes amid his intensifying criticism of Trump on social media, his vocal resistance to federal immigration raids, and his high-profile push for the successful passage of Prop 50 in November, a measure enabling California to counter Republican-led redistricting efforts in other states. These moves have positioned him as one of Trump’s most prominent political adversaries.

Fresh data from the Public Policy Institute of California indicates that half of Californians approve of both Newsom and the state’s heavily Democratic legislature. The findings also point to a broader vacuum in Democratic leadership following Trump’s 2024 victory, with Newsom increasingly viewed as a potential party standard-bearer.

He recently acknowledged interest in a 2028 presidential run, and polling shows him leading early Democratic primary preferences with 25 percent support, ahead of former Vice President Kamala Harris. He also holds the highest favorability ratings in matchups against hypothetical Republican candidates.

Newsom has been expanding his national and international presence through a bipartisan political podcast and a recent trip to Brazil for a climate conference. His second term as governor ends in 2027 due to term limits.