With the authority to declare war and draft new laws, the United States Congress is one of the most powerful institutions in the country. It is also among the most distrusted.
A recent Gallup poll found that only 7% of Americans have a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in Congress. Not only is confidence in the legislative branch at an all-time low, but also of the 16 major institutions covered in the survey – including public schools, the presidency, law enforcement, newspapers, and big business – Congress received the lowest rating. (Here is a look at the 24 members of Congress who didn’t last 100 days.)
While the vast majority of Americans disapprove of Congress as a whole, confidence in their own elected representatives tends to be much higher. According to a 2023 survey conducted by Morning Consult, a public opinion research company, 45 of the 100 sitting U.S. senators have an approval rating of 50% or higher – and all but five senators have approval ratings of at least 40%.
Using Morning Consult polling data, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 most popular senators in America. Senators were ranked by their approval rating in 2023, and, when possible, ties were broken by disapproval rating.
Among the 50 most popular senators, whose approval ratings range from 48% to 65%, 27 are Democrats, 21 are Republicans, and two are Independent.
Senators are elected for six-year terms, and every two years, about one-third of all U.S. senators are up for reelection. Of the 50 senators on this list, 14 will face voters again in 2024, should they decide to run. If they do, they are in a relatively strong position, as each of them has an approval rating of at least 50%.
For any senator who wants to keep their job, remaining popular is a top priority. One senator on this list, Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa, is particularly adept at this. First taking office in January 1981, Grassley has served in the U.S. Senate for over 42 years, making him the sixth-longest serving senator in American history. Currently, Grassley has a 50% approval rating, according to Morning Consult.
Another senator on this list, Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina, is attempting to leverage his popularity in the U.S. Senate in a bid for the White House. Of the 45 men who have ascended to the presidency, 16 served as U.S. senators. Currently, Scott has a 53% approval rating but is lagging in the Republican presidential primary polls behind former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence. (Here is a look at each president’s path to the Oval Office.)
Click here to see the most popular senators in America.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
50. Sen. Michael Crapo (R) of Idaho
> Popularity: 48% approve, 38% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 74.7% (23rd lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.7%
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Source: Thomas Cooper / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
49. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D) of Colorado
> Popularity: 48% approve, 35% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 85.0% (the highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.0%
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Source: Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images News via Getty Images
48. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) of Georgia
> Popularity: 49% approve, 42% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 82.0% (9th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.0%
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
47. Sen. Rand Paul (R) of Kentucky
> Popularity: 49% approve, 39% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 72.8% (20th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.9%
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Source: Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
46. Sen. Katie Britt (R) of Alabama
> Popularity: 49% approve, 22% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 67.5% (5th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.6%
Source: Darren McCollester / Getty Images
45. Sen. Margaret Hassan (D) of New Hampshire
> Popularity: 50% approve, 40% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 81.3% (10th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.5%
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Source: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images News via Getty Images
44. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) of Nevada
> Popularity: 50% approve, 40% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (16th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 5.4%
Source: Steve Pope / Getty Images News via Getty Images
43. Sen. Charles Grassley (R) of Iowa
> Popularity: 50% approve, 39% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.2% (10th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.7%
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
42. Sen. Marco Rubio (R) of Florida
> Popularity: 50% approve, 39% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 77.5% (20th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.9%
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Source: Chris Joseph Taylor / Getty Images News via Getty Images
41. Sen. Patty Murray (D) of Washington
> Popularity: 50% approve, 38% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.5% (14th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.2%
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
40. Sen. Ron Wyden (D) of Oregon
> Popularity: 50% approve, 34% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.7% (2nd highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.2%
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Source: Stefani Reynolds / Getty Images News via Getty Images
39. Sen. James Risch (R) of Idaho
> Popularity: 50% approve, 34% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 74.7% (23rd lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.7%
Source: Stephen Brashear / Getty Images News via Getty Images
38. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) of Washington
> Popularity: 50% approve, 33% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.5% (14th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.2%
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
37. Sen. Mark Warner (D) of Virginia
> Popularity: 50% approve, 33% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 71.7% (18th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.9%
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Source: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images News via Getty Images
36. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) of Alabama
> Popularity: 50% approve, 32% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 67.5% (5th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.6%
Source: Scott Eisen / Getty Images News via Getty Images
35. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) of New Hampshire
> Popularity: 51% approve, 39% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 81.3% (10th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.5%
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
34. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D) of Illinois
> Popularity: 51% approve, 34% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.3% (25th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.6%
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Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
33. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D) of Rhode Island
> Popularity: 51% approve, 33% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 73.2% (21st lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.2%
Source: Mark Wilson / Getty Images
32. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D) of Maryland
> Popularity: 51% approve, 23% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.5% (23rd highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.2%
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Source: Photo by Scott Eisen / Getty Images
31. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) of Massachusetts
> Popularity: 52% approve, 38% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.7% (21st highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.8%
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
30. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R) of Tennessee
> Popularity: 52% approve, 33% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 66.1% (4th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.4%
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Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
29. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R) of North Dakota
> Popularity: 52% approve, 27% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 68.9% (6th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.1%
Source: Mark Wilson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
28. Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D) of Maryland
> Popularity: 52% approve, 23% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.5% (23rd highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.2%
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
27. Sen. Mark Kelly (D) of Arizona
> Popularity: 53% approve, 38% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.9% (12th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.8%
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
26. Sen. Charles Schumer (D) of New York
> Popularity: 53% approve, 36% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 74.5% (22nd lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.3%
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
25. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) of Minnesota
> Popularity: 53% approve, 36% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 82.3% (7th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.7%
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Source: David Ryder / Getty Images
24. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) of Alaska
> Popularity: 53% approve, 35% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.6% (25th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.0%
Source: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images News via Getty Images
23. Sen. Chris Coons (D) of Delaware
> Popularity: 53% approve, 33% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.8% (15th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.5%
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
22. Sen. Tim Scott (R) of South Carolina
> Popularity: 53% approve, 31% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 69.7% (9th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.2%
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
21. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D) of Connecticut
> Popularity: 54% approve, 36% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.5% (11th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.2%
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
20. Sen. John Kennedy (R) of Louisiana
> Popularity: 54% approve, 33% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 71.1% (16th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.7%
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Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
19. Sen. James Lankford (R) of Oklahoma
> Popularity: 54% approve, 32% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 69.0% (7th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.0%
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Source: Jeff Fusco / Getty Images News via Getty Images
18. Sen. Thomas Carper (D) of Delaware
> Popularity: 54% approve, 29% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.8% (15th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.5%
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
17. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R) of Tennessee
> Popularity: 54% approve, 27% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 66.1% (4th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.4%
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16. Sen. John Reed (D) of Rhode Island
> Popularity: 54% approve, 27% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 73.2% (21st lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.2%
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
15. Sen. John Hoeven (R) of North Dakota
> Popularity: 54% approve, 27% disapprove (tied)
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 68.9% (6th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.1%
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Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
14. Sen. Christopher Murphy (D) of Connecticut
> Popularity: 55% approve, 32% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.5% (11th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 4.2%
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Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
13. Sen. Tom Cotton (R) of Arkansas
> Popularity: 55% approve, 31% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.7% (13th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.3%
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
12. Sen. John Boozman (R) of Arkansas
> Popularity: 55% approve, 27% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.7% (13th lowest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.3%
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Source: Scott Eisen / Getty Images News via Getty Images
11. Sen. Edward Markey (D) of Massachusetts
> Popularity: 55% approve, 26% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.7% (21st highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.8%
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
10. Sen. Angus King (I) of Maine
> Popularity: 57% approve, 32% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.3% (3rd highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.0%
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Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
9. Sen. Jon Tester (D) of Montana
> Popularity: 58% approve, 33% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 80.9% (11th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.6%
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
8. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D) of Hawaii
> Popularity: 60% approve, 30% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (17th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.5%
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
7. Sen. Mike Rounds (R) of South Dakota
> Popularity: 61% approve, 31% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.3% (24th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.1%
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Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
6. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R) of Wyoming
> Popularity: 61% approve, 28% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.1% (18th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.6%
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
5. Sen. Peter Welch (D) of Vermont
> Popularity: 62% approve, 25% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 82.4% (6th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.6%
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
4. Sen. John Thune (R) of South Dakota
> Popularity: 63% approve, 31% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.3% (24th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.1%
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
3. Sen. John Barrasso (R) of Wyoming
> Popularity: 63% approve, 26% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.1% (18th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.6%
Source: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images News via Getty Images
2. Sen. Bernard Sanders (I) of Vermont
> Popularity: 64% approve, 33% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 82.4% (6th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 2.6%
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Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
1. Sen. Brian Schatz (D) of Hawaii
> Popularity: 65% approve, 24% disapprove
> Final year of current term: 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (17th highest of 50 states)
> 2022 state unemployment: 3.5%
Methodology
To identify America’s most popular senators, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed approval and disapproval ratings for all 100 U.S. senators from Morning Consult, a public opinion data research company. Senators are ranked by their approval rating and, when possible, ties were broken by disapproval rating.
All polling data was collected among registered voters in the state represented by the senator in question in the first quarter of 2023.
We also reviewed the 2022 unemployment rate by state from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the share of registered voters who participated on election day in 2022 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey.
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