Donald Trump was “unlikable” too and he won in blue states Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. He won light blue Iowa by 10%
I dont find Cox unlikable. He may be short on charisma, but when it comes to issues that Californians are pissed off about, the issues are in his favor.
He just has to come up with a way ti articulate what he would do differently than Newsome to reverse the unlivable condition the state has become.
“He may be short on charisma”
That’s probably a more positive, uplifting characterization:)