Admitting that you have a problem is the first step to solving it. Californians are now taking that first step.
A poll from the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times found that 56% of Californians think their state is headed down the wrong path, compared to 36% who think the state is doing well. The poll put Gov. Gavin Newsom’s approval at 48%, with 47% disapproving.
The poll was not just of disgruntled Republicans either. It found that two-thirds of California voters approved of how Newsom handled COVID-19. But homelessness and crime, two quality-of-life problems plaguing residents up and down the state, have helped drag down approval of his job performance and the direction of the state.
Of course, the next step becomes a little more difficult. California voters who want to change the direction of the state would have to choose to actually do so. Voters already gave Newsom a pass in the recall election last year as he cruised to victory after a couple of months of uncertainty. Newsom will be on the ballot again this November. Partisanship is a strong force, but if voters truly want change, they will have to put their ballot where their mouth is.
But Republicans have to play the game too. Candidates such as Larry Elder, the radio host who was a fervent supporter of former President Donald Trump, are never going to cut it in deep-blue California. The California GOP’s inability to keep the party in line and fall into place behind a candidate who could legitimately compete in the state, such as centrist former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, made it too easy for California voters to choose more of the same at a time when they were upset with Democratic leadership.
California Republicans could do themselves (and the state’s residents) a favor by simply putting forward palatable candidates. If voters really are upset with the current state of the California Democratic Party, they would love a legitimate alternative path. California won’t turn red overnight, but as we continue to see the quality-of-life troubles bubble to the surface, Republicans won’t have a better chance to change the direction of the state for the better than they have right now.
