California Governor Gavin Newsom’s hopes for a national political future were dashed when Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, leaving him sidelined at the party’s convention. Newsom, who had been making moves that appeared to signal a potential bid for the White House, has seen his popularity in California wane, with only 44% of adults approving of his performance as governor. This decline in popularity has also affected his ability to influence state politics, as shown by the presence of two major measures on the ballot in November that he opposes.
Despite his efforts to push through last-minute legislation during the recent legislative session, Newsom faced resistance from key leaders in the state Assembly and Senate, who called for further scrutiny of his proposals. The Speaker of the Assembly refused to take up the legislation, leading to a standoff with the Governor. Newsom ultimately called for a special legislative session, but faced opposition from the Senate President Pro Tem, who insisted on waiting until the new biennial session begins in December.
Overall, Newsom’s diminishing influence in California politics has been made apparent by these recent events, as well as by his struggles to sway public opinion on key issues. As he navigates a challenging political landscape, Newsom will need to adapt his approach to regain the support of California voters and maintain his political relevance in the state.
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