THE BUZZ: TALES FROM THE TRAIL — Gov. Gavin Newsom is a seasoned surrogate, an adept fundraiser and a savvy political operator. He’s also unpopular in the California House districts Democrats want to flip. The governor, like many of his political peers, is planning to hit the trail this weekend for a final get-out-the-vote push before Tuesday. He has been a frequent guest star in the presidential campaign, but hasn’t been as visible in his home state’s toughest races, where swing voters view him as emblematic of the problems facing California, especially the high cost of living. Newsom in 2022 didn’t win any of the six most hotly contested House seats Democrats are trying to flip (Reps. John Duarte, David Valadao, Ken Calvert, Michelle Steel, Mike Garcia and Katie Porter’s vacant seat). His statewide approval rating is about 47 percent, according to the latest public poll . And in a time when the cost of living tops voters’ list of concerns, his recent push to hold oil companies accountable for gas-price spikes has given Republicans fresh fodder around the cost of fuel. “The more swing voters think about Sacramento, the worse it is for Democrats,” said one California Democratic strategist, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the governor. “Campaigning with a relatively unpopular Democratic governor would be validating the message Republicans have spent millions on.” Nathan Click, a spokesperson for the governor’s campaign side, disagreed with the idea that Newsom won’t be helpful in the swing seats. His team pointed out that he’s already done public events this cycle with Democratic candidates in tough districts. “He’s been very active and visible on the campaign trail, both nationally and in California, supporting candidates in some of the toughest races, from VP Harris in some of the tightest swing states to Congressional and legislative candidates here in CA,” Click said in a statement. Newsom’s team has yet to confirm where he’ll be going ahead of Tuesday, but the GOP has been using the Democratic governor as a cudgel in House districts — tying their opponents to the state’s top official and what Republicans have characterized as his extreme, radical agenda. (Though he’s definitely a moderate by Democratic standards.) He is not alone. In New York, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul finds herself starring in attack ads from vulnerable House Republicans. “Gavin Newsom and [Democratic candidate] Adam Gray: Sacramento politicians who make us pay more for groceries, even raise the gas tax,” warns one ad from the NRCC and Duarte’s campaign, which started running last week. “Newsom and Gray are one and the same.” The narrative has Democrats feeling everything from apathetic to wary about appearing alongside him in the final days of a tense election. “I don’t think he’s a drag, but I don’t think he’s a huge value ad, either,” said one California Democratic consultant, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the governor’s impact. “It’s not like anyone’s running away from Gavin Newsom — it’s like, what does he do?” There's a clear reason why Newsom — like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before him — has become a punching bag down ballot. GOP congressmembers are trying to tap into an anti-incumbent sentiment that has become especially prominent this cycle. Republicans want to remind voters that they live in a state governed by Democrats, amplifying the disgust swing voters may have for Sacramento policies. In Calvert’s Palm Springs race, where total advertising spending has reached a whopping $31 million, GOP groups have spent nearly $4 million on ads tying Democratic opponent Will Rollins to the governor. Calvert’s is the only swing district of the six that voted against Newsom in both 2018 and 2022, and the only one to vote for former President Donald Trump in 2020. One of the ads, which ran for several weeks this month, claims Rollins supports higher taxes and wants to make California less affordable, just like Newsom has. “Newsom. Will Rollins. There’s no difference,” the narrator says. Coby Eiss, campaign manager for the Rollins campaign, said in a statement that “CLF is panicking because of how many Republicans are backing Will instead of Calvert, who’s underperforming the top of his own ticket.” While an in-person appearance may not do much good, Newsom is, indubitably, a helpful fundraiser. He has flexed his impressive presidential Rolodex to candidates’ advantage this cycle, often sending out emails through his Campaign For Democracy PAC asking recipients to split a donation between a handful of Democrats. One campaign operative told us just one of those emails can easily net a candidate $30,000-$40,000. Newsom has raised nearly $2 million for California congressional races through various methods, a spokesperson for the governor told us — with Democratic candidates Rudy Salas, Gray, and Rollins being the top recipients. GOOD MORNING. Happy Wednesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. You can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on X — @DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. | 
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