Special Report

33 US Senators Whose Popularity Is on the Rise

Samuel Stebbins

Published: January 26, 2024 9:29 am

The U.S. Congress is the least trusted government instituion by the American people. According to a recent poll by public opinion research company Morning Consult, a public opinion research company, only 39% of adults in the U.S. express at least some trust in Congress. This figure is lower than that of all five other public sector institutions covered in the survey, including the Supreme Court.

It may come as no surprise that there are excessively negative views of the U.S. legislature. A study published by the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University indicated that partisan conflict leading to legislative gridlock, especially on consensus issues, significantly diminishes public opinion of Congress.

Partisanship on Capitol Hill has been escalating for decades. According to analysis by the Pew Research Center, the ideological gap between Democratic and Republican congressional representatives is more pronounced today than at any other point in the last 50 years. This trend is particularly evident in the U.S. Senate.

While partisanship in the U.S. Senate has eroded public confidence in the institution, a number of individual lawmakers have succeeded in improving their standing with voters in recent years, going against the prevailing trend.

Using survey data from Morning Consult, 24/7 Wall St. identified the sitting U.S. senators who are gaining popularity. Senators are ranked on the percentage point change in their approval rating over the two-year period from the second quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2023. Only senators with approval ratings that gained at least 2 percentage points since mid-2021 were considered. 

Among the 33 U.S. senators listed, 20 are Democratic, 12 are Republican, and one is an independent. Thirteen of these senators are eligible for reelection in 2024 if they decide to run. Among them, approval ratings have seen an increase ranging from 2 percentage points to 15 percentage points over the past two years.

To identify the U.S. senators who are gaining popularity, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage point change in approval ratings for all 92 sitting U.S. senators in mid 2021. Senators are ranked on their increase in approval rating from Q2 2021 to Q2 2023, based on data from Morning Consult. In cases where two or more senators have the same change in approval rating, senators are listed in alphabetical order by the state they represent. 

Supplementary data on the share of registered voters who participated on election day in 2022 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey.

Despite the increase in approval ratings, not all senators listed here enjoy widespread popularity. However, the majority of senators on this list are well regarded by their constituents, particularly when compared to many of their Senate colleagues. With the exception of 10 out of 33 lawmakers experiencing the most significant popularity growth, all others hold positions within the top 50% of all 100 sitting U.S. senators based on approval ratings. This includes seven of the 10 most popular senators.

Here are the senators that are becoming more popular:

33. Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington (D)

Source: Stephen Brashear / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 49% approve; 35% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 32% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.5% (14th highest of 50 states)

32. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon (D)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 51% approve; 30% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 49% approve; 33% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.7% (2nd highest of 50 states)

31. Sen. Margaret Hassan of New Hampshire (D)

Source: Scott Eisen / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 52% approve; 38% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 50% approve; 37% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 81.3% (10th highest of 50 states)

30. Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska (R)

Deb Fischer (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 48% approve; 34% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 35% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.6% (12th lowest of 50 states)

29. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan (D)

Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 47% approve; 34% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 45% approve; 37% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 82.1% (8th highest of 50 states)

28. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa (R)

Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 46% approve; 41% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 44% approve; 43% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.2% (10th lowest of 50 states)

27. Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois (D)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 48% approve; 34% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 37% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.3% (25th lowest of 50 states)

26. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut (D)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 51% approve; 37% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 49% approve; 39% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.5% (11th lowest of 50 states)

25. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming (R)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 70% approve; 18% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 67% approve; 23% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.1% (18th highest of 50 states)

24. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington (D)

Source: Chris Joseph Taylor / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 38% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 33% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.5% (14th highest of 50 states)

23. Sen. Robert Casey of Pennsylvania (D)

Source: Mark Makela / Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 46% approve; 32% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 43% approve; 34% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 83.4% (5th highest of 50 states)

22. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio (D)

Source: Angelo Merendino / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 47% approve; 33% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 44% approve; 34% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.7% (14th lowest of 50 states)

21. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York (D)

Source: Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 49% approve; 31% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 31% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 74.5% (22nd lowest of 50 states)

20. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado (D)

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 29% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 29% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 85% (the highest of 50 states)

19. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin (R)

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 43% approve; 48% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 39% approve; 46% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.2% (4th highest of 50 states)

18. Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada (D)

Source: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 44% approve; 34% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 40% approve; 38% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (16th highest of 50 states)

17. Sen. Angus King of Maine (I)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 62% approve; 28% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 58% approve; 33% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.3% (3rd highest of 50 states)

16. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa (R)

Source: Steve Pope / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 40% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 39% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.2% (10th lowest of 50 states)

15. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois (D)

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 51% approve; 34% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 36% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.3% (25th lowest of 50 states)

14. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona (D)

Mark Kelly (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 41% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 40% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.9% (12th highest of 50 states)

13. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin (D)

Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +5 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 46% approve; 41% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 41% approve; 42% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.2% (4th highest of 50 states)

12. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota (R)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +5 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 62% approve; 26% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 57% approve; 34% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.3% (24th highest of 50 states)

11. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada (D)

Catherine Cortez Masto (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +5 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 49% approve; 38% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 44% approve; 36% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (16th highest of 50 states)

10. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana (R)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +5 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 57% approve; 30% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 52% approve; 30% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 71.1% (16th lowest of 50 states)

9. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah (R)

Source: George Frey / Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +6 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 41% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 44% approve; 45% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.4% (15th highest of 50 states)

8. Sen. Alex Padilla of California (D)

Source: Ethan Swope / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +6 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 46% approve; 26% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 40% approve; 23% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.6% (22nd highest of 50 states)

7. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota (R)

John Thune (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +7 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 63% approve; 26% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 56% approve; 36% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.3% (24th highest of 50 states)

6. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana (R)

Source: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +10 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 52% approve; 35% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 42% approve; 41% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 71.1% (16th lowest of 50 states)

5. Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska (R)

Dan Sullivan (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +10 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 61% approve; 27% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 51% approve; 35% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.6% (25th highest of 50 states)

4. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana (D)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +11 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 58% approve; 34% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 40% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 80.9% (11th highest of 50 states)

3. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska (R)

Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +12 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 39% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 38% approve; 48% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.6% (25th highest of 50 states)

2. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii (D)

Source: Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +13 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 65% approve; 23% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 52% approve; 33% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (17th highest of 50 states)

1. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii (D)

Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images

• 2-yr. change in approval rating: +15 pp.
• Q2 2023 popularity: 63% approve; 26% disapprove
• Q2 2021 popularity: 48% approve; 38% disapprove
• Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
• Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (17th highest of 50 states)