United States Senators face reelection every six years, and members of the U.S. House of Representatives have to be voted back into office every two years. As a result — though not a part of the official job description — remaining popular is critical for members of Congress.
Unlike U.S. presidents and most state governors, congressional representatives do not have term limits. As a result, they can keep their jobs as long as they remain popular and in good health. Some representatives on Capitol Hill are better at that aspect of the job than others. Throughout history, dozens of senators have served for multiple decades. Here is a look at the longest serving Democrats and the longest serving Republicans in the house.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed approval ratings for U.S. Senators and 2018 election results for House members in order to identify the least popular members of Congress. Data on senator approval ratings came from data research company Morning Consult, and margins of victory in the midterm elections came from Ballotpedia, an online encyclopedia of American politics and elections.
In politics, it is nearly impossible to serve everyone’s best interest at all times. And partially as a result, approval ratings for the senators on this list do not exceed 65%. In a few cases, the most popular senator in a given state even has an approval rating under 40%.
For members of the House, popularity, as measured by margin of victory in the ballot box, can be far higher. This is partially because house members typically have a much smaller — and sometimes more like minded — constituency to appeal to. Here is a look at America’s largest and smallest voting districts.
Click here to see the most popular members of Congress from every state.
Click here to see the least popular members of Congress from every state.
Click here to see our methodology.
Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images
1. Alabama
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Richard Shelby
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 46.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell, 7th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 97.8% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 7
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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Source: Courtesy of US Congress
2. Alaska
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 43.0%
> Only House member: Republican Rep. Don Young, state at-large
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 53.3% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 1
See all stories featuring: Alaska
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3. Arizona
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 44.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, 7th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 85.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 9
See all stories featuring: Arizona
4. Arkansas
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. John Boozman
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. Rick Crawford, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 69.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
5. California
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 42.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Karen Bass, 37th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 89.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 53
See all stories featuring: California
6. Colorado
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 39.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 73.8% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 7
See all stories featuring: Colorado
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7. Connecticut
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 93.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 5
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
8. Delaware
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Chris Coons
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 52.0%
> Only House member: Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, state at-large
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 64.5% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 1
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Source: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America / Wikimedia Commons
9. Florida
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Marco Rubio
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings, 20th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 99.9% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 27
See all stories featuring: Florida
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Source: Jason Getz / Getty Images
10. Georgia
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. David Perdue
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 49.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. John Lewis, 5th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 100.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 14
See all stories featuring: Georgia
11. Hawaii
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 77.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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Source: Courtesy of United States Senate
12. Idaho
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Mike Crapo
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 49.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. Russ Fulcher, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 62.8% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2
See all stories featuring: Idaho
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
13. Illinois
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 42.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Danny K. Davis, 7th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 87.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 18
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Source: Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty Images
14. Indiana
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Mike Braun
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 44.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Peter Visclosky, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 65.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 9
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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15. Iowa
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 43.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 54.8% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4
See all stories featuring: Iowa
16. Kansas
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Jerry Moran
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 40.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. Roger Marshall, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 68.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
17. Kentucky
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Rand Paul
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 41.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. Hal Rogers, 5th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 78.9% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 6
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
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18. Louisiana
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. John Kennedy
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Cedric Richmond, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 80.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 6
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Source: Zach Gibson / Getty Images
19. Maine
> Most popular senator: Independent Sen. Angus King
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 58.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 58.8% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2
See all stories featuring: Maine
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20. Maryland
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 49.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Anthony Brown, 4th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 78.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 8
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Source: Zach Gibson / Getty Images
21. Massachusetts
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Ed Markey
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 50.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch, 8th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 98.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 9
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
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22. Michigan
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 44.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, 13th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 84.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 14
See all stories featuring: Michigan
23. Minnesota
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 56.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, 5th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 78.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 8
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
24. Mississippi
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Roger Wicker
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 71.8% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
25. Missouri
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Josh Hawley
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 43.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. William Lacy Clay, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 80.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 8
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
26. Montana
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Jon Tester
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Only House member: Republican Rep. Greg Gianforte, state at-large
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.9% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 1
See all stories featuring: Montana
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27. Nebraska
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Ben Sasse
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 45.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. Adrian Smith, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 76.7% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 3
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
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Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
28. Nevada
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 40.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Dina Titus, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 66.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4
See all stories featuring: Nevada
29. New Hampshire
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 52.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 55.5% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
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30. New Jersey
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Cory Booker
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 45.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Donald Payne Jr., 10th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 87.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 12
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
31. New Mexico
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Tom Udall
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 39.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 63.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 3
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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32. New York
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Jose Serrano, 15th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 96.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 27
See all stories featuring: New York
Source: Al Drago / Getty Images
33. North Carolina
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Richard Burr
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 38.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. Walter Jones, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 100.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 13
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
34. North Dakota
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. John Hoeven
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 56.0%
> Only House member: Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong, state at-large
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 60.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 1
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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35. Ohio
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 46.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge, 11th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 82.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 16
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
36. Oklahoma
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. James Lankford
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 44.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. Frank Lucas, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 73.9% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 5
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
37. Oregon
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 72.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 5
See all stories featuring: Oregon
Source: Mark Makela / Getty Images
38. Pennsylvania
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Bob Casey
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 42.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Michael Doyle, 18th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 100.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 18
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
39. Rhode Island
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Jack Reed
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 53.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. David Cicilline, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 66.7% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
40. South Carolina
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Tim Scott
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 50.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. James Clyburn, 6th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 70.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 7
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
41. South Dakota
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. John Thune
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 52.0%
> Only House member: Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson, state at-large
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 60.3% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 1
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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42. Tennessee
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, 9th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 80.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 9
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
43. Texas
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Ted Cruz
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 49.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, 30th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 91.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 36
See all stories featuring: Texas
Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images
44. Utah
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. Mitt Romney
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. John Curtis, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 67.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4
See all stories featuring: Utah
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45. Vermont
> Most popular senator: Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 65.0%
> Only House member: Democratic Rep. Peter Welch, state at-large
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 69.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 1
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
46. Virginia
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Mark Warner
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 49.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 91.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 11
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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47. Washington
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, 7th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 83.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 10
See all stories featuring: Washington
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
48. West Virginia
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 51.0%
> Most popular House member: Republican Rep. David McKinley, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 64.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 3
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Source: Kris Connor / Getty Images
49. Wisconsin
> Most popular senator: Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 46.0%
> Most popular House member: Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 100.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 8
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
50. Wyoming
> Most popular senator: Republican Sen. John Barrasso
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 64.0%
> Only House member: Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, state at-large
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 63.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 1
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Methodology
To identify the most popular members of congress, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed different measures of popularity for both senators and members of the House of Representatives.
For Senators, we reviewed approval ratings for the fourth quarter of 2019 with data from research company Morning Consult. Each state has two senators, and the senator with the highest approval rating ranks as the most popular in the state. Approval ratings reflect public opinion of the representatives constituency only. In cases where two senators from the same state had the same approval rating, the senator with the lower disapproval ranking ranked as the most popular.
To identify the most popular House members, we reviewed the district by district outcome of the 2018 midterm elections for each congressional district. House members are elected to office every two years, and the November 2018 election is the most recent. The House member with the largest margin of victory ranks as the most popular representative in that state. In seven states — Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming — a single House member represents the entire state population. In these states, the representative listed is the most popular by default only. Special elections held after 2018 were not considered in our analysis. Data on 2018 election results came from Ballotpedia, an online encyclopedia of American politics and elections.
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