Public trust in high-level, U.S. government institutions stands at near record lows. According to a June 2023 Gallup survey, only 27% of Americans have a high-level of confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court. For the offices of elected government officials, specifically the presidency and the congress, public confidence is even lower, at just 26% and 8%, respectively.
But in stark contrast to federal institutions, Americans are far more likely to have high regard for government leadership within their own state.
Like the president, each of the 50 sitting U.S. governors has the role of a chief executive. And, like the president, governors are tasked with balancing the interests, values, and priorities of their constituents. Unlike any U.S. president in the last 20 years, however, most sitting governors have an average approval rating of at least 50%.
Using data from public opinion research company Morning Consult, 24/7 Wall St. identified America’s most and least popular governors. We ranked all sitting governors with available data on their net-approval rating — the percentage point difference between the share of voters who approve and the share who disapprove. Surveys were conducted between Oct. 1, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024. Louisiana was excluded from this list, as the Gov. Jeff Landry took office in January 2024. Supplemental data on governor tenure and salaries are from The Council of State Governments and the National Governors Association. State populations and unemployment rates are from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Among the 49 governors on this list — 23 Democrats and 26 Republicans — approval ratings range from 43.5% to 85.6%. Of the 10 governors with the highest net-approval rating, four are Democrats and six are Republicans.
While there are exceptions, less populous states often have more popular governors. Of the six highest ranking governors on this list, five were elected in states with populations of less than 1.5 million. Notably, the two most popular governors also lead the two least populous states. In these places, fewer constituents may mean fewer competing interests. (Here is a look at the most important issues to voters for the 2024 election.)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, is one of the highest-profile politicians on this list. DeSantis announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election in May 2023, and after losing key primary races to Donald Trump, he withdrew from the race in January 2024. Running a presidential campaign while serving as governor of one of the most populous states in the country did little to boost his popularity. DeSantis’ approval rating fell from 56.4% in early 2023 to 50.9% by the end of the year. Currently, DeSantis ranks as one of the least popular state governors in the country.
These are the most and least popular governors in America.
49. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R)
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: -4.1 ppt. (43.5% approve; 47.6% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2020, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $122,160
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.2%
- State population: 2,940,057
48. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D)
Source: Karen Ducey / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +3.1 ppt. (48.6% approve; 45.5% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2013, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $187,353
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.1%
- State population: 7,785,786
47. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R)
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +3.5 ppt. (49.1% approve; 45.5% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 3rd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $130,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.9%
- State population: 3,200,517
46. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D)
Source: oregonmildep / Flickr
- Net approval rating: +4.1 ppt. (45.8% approve; 41.7% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $98,600
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.7%
- State population: 4,240,137
45. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R)
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +6.0 ppt. (50.9% approve; 44.9% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $134,181
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.9%
- State population: 22,244,823
44. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D)
Source: Handout / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +6.0 ppt. (49.4% approve; 43.4% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $110,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.8%
- State population: 2,113,344
43. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D)
Source: Public Domain / White House / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +6.1 ppt. (45.1% approve; 39.1% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2021, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $145,755
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.0%
- State population: 1,093,734
42. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D)
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +8.7 ppt. (50.7% approve; 42.0% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $152,756
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.0%
- State population: 5,892,539
41. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D)
Source: Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +9.6 ppt. (50.3% approve; 40.7% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2021, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $250,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.2%
- State population: 19,677,151
40. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D)
Source: chiefngb / Flickr
- Net approval rating: +9.7 ppt. (48.8% approve; 39.0% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $95,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.9%
- State population: 7,359,197
39. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R)
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +11.5 ppt. (49.3% approve; 37.8% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2021, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $118,397
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.9%
- State population: 1,122,867
38. Texas Gov. Gregory Abbott (R)
Source: Tom Pennington / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +11.6 ppt. (53.0% approve; 41.4% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2015, currently serving 3rd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $153,750
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.9%
- State population: 30,029,572
37. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D)
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +11.7 ppt. (53.0% approve; 41.3% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $184,758
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.5%
- State population: 12,582,032
36. Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R)
Source: lt-governor-little / Flickr
- Net approval rating: +12.5 ppt. (50.6% approve; 38.1% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $138,302
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.1%
- State population: 1,939,033
35. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R)
Source: thenationalguard / Flickr
- Net approval rating: +13.5 ppt. (52.6% approve; 39.1% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $147,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.2%
- State population: 4,019,800
34. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R)
Source: Jacob Moscovitch / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +15.0 ppt. (50.5% approve; 35.5% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2018, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $137,167
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.0%
- State population: 6,177,957
33. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R)
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +15.6 ppt. (52.6% approve; 37.0% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2022, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $175,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.9%
- State population: 8,683,619
32. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D)
Source: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +15.8 ppt. (55.3% approve; 39.5% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $127,629
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.8%
- State population: 5,717,184
31. New Jersey Gov. Philip Murphy (D)
Source: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +16.6 ppt. (54.5% approve; 37.8% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2018, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $175,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.4%
- State population: 9,261,699
30. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R)
Source: Justin Merriman / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +16.8 ppt. (55.0% approve; 38.2% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $168,106
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.5%
- State population: 11,756,058
29. Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +17.1 ppt. (56.7% approve; 39.6% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $70,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.9%
- State population: 1,385,340
28. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D)
Source: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +18.2 ppt. (56.4% approve; 38.2% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $218,556
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.8%
- State population: 39,029,342
27. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R)
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +18.2 ppt. (52.8% approve; 34.6% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $134,051
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.3%
- State population: 6,833,037
26. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R)
- Net approval rating: +18.7 ppt. (51.4% approve; 32.7% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $105,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.3%
- State population: 1,967,923
25. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D)
Source: Handout / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +18.7 ppt. (57.2% approve; 38.5% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $159,300
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.9%
- State population: 10,034,118
24. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper III (D)
Source: NCDOTcommunications / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +20.3 ppt. (54.6% approve; 34.3% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $165,750
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.5%
- State population: 10,698,973
23. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R)
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +20.3 ppt. (58.6% approve; 38.3% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $121,578
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.0%
- State population: 909,824
22. Delaware Gov. John Carney (D)
Source: Mark Makela / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +21.5 ppt. (53.9% approve; 32.5% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $171,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.0%
- State population: 1,018,396
21. Alaska Gov. Michael Dunleavy (R)
Source: alaska-landmine / Flickr
- Net approval rating: +22.2 ppt. (54.8% approve; 32.6% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2018, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $145,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.2%
- State population: 733,583
20. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R)
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +23.2 ppt. (56.2% approve; 33.0% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 3rd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $106,078
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.0%
- State population: 5,282,634
19. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +24.3 ppt. (57.8% approve; 33.5% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $158,739
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.3%
- State population: 3,045,637
18. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D)
Source: ksrecomm / Flickr
- Net approval rating: +26.5 ppt. (59.6% approve; 33.0% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $110,707
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.7%
- State population: 2,937,150
17. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R)
Source: Justin Merriman / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +27.5 ppt. (60.1% approve; 32.7% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $150,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.9%
- State population: 1,775,156
16. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D)
Source: governortomwolf / Flickr
- Net approval rating: +27.5 ppt. (56.9% approve; 29.4% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $213,026
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.4%
- State population: 12,972,008
15. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +27.8 ppt. (56.5% approve; 28.8% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2021, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $165,600
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.6%
- State population: 3,380,800
14. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R)
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +28.0 ppt. (59.1% approve; 31.1% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $204,336
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.3%
- State population: 7,051,339
13. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R)
Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +28.4 ppt. (60.0% approve; 31.6% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $175,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.2%
- State population: 10,912,876
12. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D)
Source: John Sommers II / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +29.2 ppt. (62.1% approve; 32.9% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $152,181
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.2%
- State population: 4,512,310
11. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D)
Source: Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +29.2 ppt. (60.4% approve; 31.2% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $90,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.2%
- State population: 5,839,926
10. Nevada Gov. Joseph Lombardo (R)
Source: Office of Glenn Youngkin / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +30.7 ppt. (58.4% approve; 27.7% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $163,474
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 5.1%
- State population: 3,177,772
9. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +31.7 ppt. (60.0% approve; 28.4% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $185,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.4%
- State population: 6,981,974
8. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D)
Source: Bob Falcetti / Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +31.7 ppt. (61.9% approve; 30.3% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $150,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.8%
- State population: 3,626,205
7. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R)
- Net approval rating: +31.9 ppt. (62.9% approve; 31.0% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 3rd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $124,563
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.5%
- State population: 5,074,296
6. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R)
Source: Stephen Yang / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +33.2 ppt. (59.9% approve; 26.8% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2016, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $140,830
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 1.9%
- State population: 779,261
5. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +36.6 ppt. (64.9% approve; 28.3% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 4th term
- Governor salary in 2022: $144,483
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.2%
- State population: 1,395,231
4. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D)
Source: perspective / Flickr
- Net approval rating: +38.1 ppt. (60.7% approve; 22.5% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $180,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.1%
- State population: 6,164,660
3. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D)
Source: Aloha102 / Wikimedia Commons
- Net approval rating: +38.4 ppt. (64.5% approve; 26.1% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2022, currently serving 1st term
- Governor salary in 2022: $165,048
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.0%
- State population: 1,440,196
2. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R)
- Net approval rating: +55.0 ppt. (70.7% approve; 15.7% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
- Governor salary in 2022: $105,000
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.9%
- State population: 581,381
1. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R)
Source: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images
- Net approval rating: +71.8 ppt. (85.6% approve; 13.7% disapprove)
- Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 4th term
- Governor salary in 2022: $191,734
- 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.0%
- State population: 647,064
Sponsored: Attention Savvy Investors: Speak to 3 Financial Experts – FREE
Ever wanted an extra set of eyes on an investment you’re considering? Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply
clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help guide you through the financial decisions you’re making. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.