California Governor Gavin Newsom has spent years presenting himself as a model for Democratic leadership and a potential contender for the White House. But a newly released report from a prominent policy institute offers a very different assessment of his time in office.
The Cato Institute’s 2026 Freedom in the 50 States report has placed Newsom among the three worst-performing governors in America, ranking him 48th out of 50.
The findings raise serious questions about the California governor’s political record, particularly as he continues to promote his leadership style as an alternative to Republican governance.
For a politician who frequently criticizes conservative states and their elected leaders, the latest assessment represents an embarrassing setback.
