PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government

More than a month after Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, about half of adults (48%) and a majority of likely voters (55%) approve of the way he is handling his job as president of the United States (disapprove: 51% adults, 45% likely voters). In June, a majority of adults (56%) also expressed disapproval. Today, most Democrats approve (74%), while nine in ten Republicans (91%) and 53 percent of independents disapprove. Approval reaches a majority among African Americans (56%), Asian Americans (54%), college graduates (57%), adults earning $80,000 or more (54%), and adults under 55 (51%). A solid majority of residents in the San Francisco Bay Area (62%) approve, compared to fewer than half in other regions. Californians are about as likely as adults nationwide (43%) to approve, according to an August 2024 Gallup poll.

A majority of adults (53%) and likely voters (56%) approve of the way Kamala Harris-now the Democratic nominee for president-is handling her job as vice president (44% of adults and likely voters disapprove). Eight in ten Democrats (79%) approve, while nine in ten Republicans (89%) disapprove and independents are more divided (46% approve, 49% disapprove). A slim majority (51%) of Californians in competitive congressional districts approve of Vice President Harris (46% disapprove). Compared to Californians, adults nationwide are more divided, according to Gallup (47% approve, 49% disapprove).

About half of adults (49%) and a majority of likely voters (54%) approve of Senator Alex Padilla (43% adults and 40% likely voters disapprove); these shares have been somewhat similar since June 2023.

Majorities disapprove of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (58% adults, 62% likely voters); 34 percent of adults and likely voters disapprove. Results were similar in December 2023, the only other time we asked this question.

When it comes to the US Congress, overwhelming majorities of adults (71%) and likely voters (78%) disapprove; 23 percent of adults and 20 percent of likely voters express approval. Seven in ten or more have disapproved of Congress since February 2023. Californians are about as likely as adults nationwide to disapprove (76%), according to Gallup.