Elected in response to voter dissatisfaction with his predecessor, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today finds himself with the worst popularity rating in California gubernatorial history. The latest Field Poll pegged Schwarzenegger’s approval rating at 23% and his disapproval at 71%.
Democrat Gray Davis’ disapproval rating was 70% shortly before being recalled from office in 2003 and replaced by Schwarzenegger.
The GOP incumbent has seen his political standing plummet while trying to run a state mired in a steep recession and balance a budget that has been billions of dollars in the red year after year.
Californians are even more unhappy with the state legislature’s performance—only 13% approve of their work and 78% disapprove. The numbers matched the all-time low.
-Noel Brinkerhoff