SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – The majority of Californians are not supportive of President Joe Biden running for a second term, according to a poll by UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies published Friday.
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According to the poll, which was conducted online by 9,254 registered California voters over a week-long period this month, 61% of people oppose Biden running for a second term, as opposed to 31% in favor.
Unsurprisingly, registered Republicans were even more opposed to Biden running again, at 87% vs. 9%, while Democrats were more evenly divided at 46% opposed, 46% in favor.
A majority of Californians also opposed another Trump bid for president, at 71%.
"While many California Democrats are not convinced that Biden should run again, the absence of a clear Democratic alternative may afford the President more space in avoiding a serious primary challenge should he decide to seek reelection," said UC Berkeley IGS co-director Eric Schickler in a release Friday along with the study.
Biden's performance as president also was given a relatively low score, with 48% of those polled saying they approve of his work so far, and 48% saying they disapprove.
While it is clear that California voters are enthusiastic about Biden running again, there aren't many viable alternatives to take his place.
The poll also asked what candidates might make a better choice, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom emerged as a frontrunner among the options.
Thirteen percent of Californians said that Newsom would be their first choice to run instead, with former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders also coming in at 13%. Kamala Harris came in 3rd at 10%.
The rest of the options on the list, like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, or New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came in at 7% or less.
Nineteen percent of people were undecided about who might make a better choice to run for president next.
So far, Newsom has announced no intentions of running for president, but he appeals to a broader range of Californians than Sanders or Harris.
According to the poll, Newsom received 20 to 30% of people's 1st or 2nd choice preferences, across demographics. Meanwhile, Sanders' level of support goes down amongst older voters and moderates, and Harris' support weakens amongst white and independent voters.
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