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In a stunning turn of events, Senator Dianne Feinstein’s approval rating has hit rock bottom. Californians are growing increasingly disillusioned with the ailing senator’s ability to fulfill her duties effectively. Find out why her health struggles have become a significant factor in her diminishing support, causing voters to demand change and question her fitness for office.

Senator Dianne Feinstein, once a popular figure in California politics, is experiencing a drastic decline in public approval. Recent polls conducted in Orange and San Diego Counties by the Public Policy Institute of California have revealed that only 30% of likely voters approve of her handling of the job. This marks a significant drop of more than 10% since March 2022 when her approval stood at 41%. Furthermore, compared to October 2022, her support has decreased by 7%, with only 37% of adults and likely voters in Orange and San Diego Counties expressing their approval.

The deterioration in support is not confined to these two counties alone. Across three other geographic regions, namely the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and San Francisco Bay Area, Feinstein’s approval rating has sunk to a mere 28%. Even in Los Angeles, a traditional stronghold of support, her approval has plummeted by 11 points since March 2022, with only 36% of voters still backing her. This dramatic decline can be attributed to the perception that Feinstein’s health struggles have rendered her incapable of effectively carrying out her duties.

Fred Smoller, a political science professor at Chapman University, emphasized this sentiment, stating, “A once very popular senator has lost a lot of support because, unfortunately, she’s perceived by both the left and the right as not well enough to do her job effectively. She was once very popular but has declined tremendously.” Smoller’s assessment underscores the widespread belief that Feinstein’s recent health challenges have cast a shadow over her ability to represent the interests of Californians.

Feinstein’s health issues have been well-documented. In March, she was afflicted with a severe outbreak of shingles that spread to her face and neck, causing vision and balance impairments, as well as facial paralysis. Additionally, the virus triggered a bout of encephalitis, resulting in brain swelling and leaving her with potential long-term memory or language problems, sleep disorders, confusion, mood disorders, and difficulties walking. When she returned to the Senate in mid-May, she appeared in a wheelchair, with her left side of the face frozen and one eye nearly shut, exhibiting signs of disorientation as she navigated the Senate’s corridors.

The public’s growing dissatisfaction with Feinstein’s fitness for office is not confined to the recent surveys mentioned earlier. A statewide poll conducted by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies indicates that over two-thirds of voters in California believe that Feinstein is no longer fit to serve in the Senate. In fact, 67% of registered voters expressed this sentiment, with the majority attributing their views to her recent illness and subsequent reliance on a wheelchair. The poll also gauged respondents’ opinions on whether Feinstein should resign, revealing that 42% believe she should step down immediately. Another 27% favored her serving until the end of her term in 2025, while 31% remained undecided.

The poll, which surveyed 7,465 registered voters through random emails in both English and Spanish, took place from May 17 to 22. Its results serve as a testament to the shifting sentiments within California’s electorate, raising questions about the future of Feinstein’s political career and the possibility of a significant shake-up in the state’s representation.

As Dianne Feinstein’s approval rating plummets, it is evident that Californians are no longer willing to tolerate an ailing senator whose health struggles have hindered her ability to fulfill her duties effectively. The senator’s popularity has taken a severe hit, leaving many questioning her fitness for office. The times are changing, and Feinstein may soon face the consequences of losing the trust of her constituents.