Majority of CA Voters, Even Democrats, Say No to a Newsom Presidential Run in 2024

Despite California Governor Gavin Newsom claiming he won’t run for president in 2024 — even if President Biden doesn’t seek reelection — at least 70% of Golden State voters surveyed across the political spectrum agreed he should keep out of the race, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

Asked if California voters would like to see Newsom make a bid for the White House, 7 of 10 said no. Among his own party, approximately 54% said they do not want to see him as the nation’s commander-in-chief.

“A resounding thumbs down from the home team as California voters tell the Governor: if you have designs on the big job beyond Sacramento, we’re not on board,” Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said.

In the event Newsom files with the FEC in the coming months, the governor still has more than half of the state disapproving his work as governor. According to the Quinnipiac poll, 44% of Californians approve of Newsom.

Pollsters also asked voters to choose the most urgent issues facing California today: homelessness, affordable housing, and inflation ranked at the top of the list. More than 4 in 10 voters said they would move out of California. That’s not a rousing recommendation for Newsom’s success as governor.