Special Report
The Most and Least Popular Governors in America
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Andy Beshear, the Democratic candidate for Governor of Kentucky, declared victory over Republican Gov. Matt Bevin after the polls closed on November 5th. Even though Kentucky went to President Donald Trump by 30 percentage points in 2016, it seems party loyalty was not enough to overcome Bevin’s unpopularity. With a dismal 34% approval rating, Bevin is the least popular governor in the country.
As Kentucky’s 2019 gubernatorial election demonstrates, popularity is important for governors — both for political clout and, for those who are not up against term limits, job security.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed public opinion data from research company Morning Consult to rank America’s 50 state governors by popularity. Governor approval ratings are based on survey data collected during the third quarter of 2019 and range from 34% to 73%.
As there are many unique political opinions among voters, elected officials are rarely able to please everyone. There are policy areas that are less subjective, however — perhaps most notably, the economy.
Poor economic performance tends to hurt political popularity of elected officials, while strong economic performance appears to have the opposite effect. In eight of the 10 states with the least popular governors, the annual unemployment rate is higher than the 3.9% national average. Similarly, unemployment is line with or lower than the national rate in nine of the 10 states with the most popular governors. Here is a list of states where it is hardest to find full-time work.
There is no set salary for governors, and compensation for the job varies by state — from as little as $70,000 to more than $200,000. While there is no hard and fast rule, generally, states with larger populations have higher governor salaries. Here is a full list of the highest and lowest paid governors in the United States.
Click here to see the most and least popular governors in America
Click here to read our methodology
1. Gov. Charlie Baker (R) – Massachusetts
> Popularity: 73% approve; 16% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $185,000 (5th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.3% (15th lowest)
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2. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) – Maryland
> Popularity: 70% approve; 16% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $170,000 (13th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.9% (21st highest)
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3. Gov. Phil Scott (R) – Vermont
> Popularity: 64% approve; 23% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $178,274 (7th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 2.7% (5th lowest)
4. Gov. Mark Gordon (R) – Wyoming
> Popularity: 63% approve; 13% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $105,000 (7th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.1% (15th highest)
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5. Gov. Chris Sununu (R) – New Hampshire
> Popularity: 62% approve; 26% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $134,581 (21st lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 2.5% (3rd lowest)
6. Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) – Arkansas
> Popularity: 59% approve; 24% disapprove (tied)
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $148,134 (24th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.7% (24th lowest)
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7. Gov. Brad Little (R) – Idaho
> Popularity: 59% approve; 22% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $138,302 (22nd lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 2.8% (7th lowest)
8. Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) – Oklahoma
> Popularity: 59% approve; 19% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $147,000 (25th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.4% (20th lowest)
9. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) – Texas
> Popularity: 59% approve; 24% disapprove (tied)
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $153,750 (16th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.9% (21st highest)
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10. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) – Florida
> Popularity: 58% approve; 22% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $130,273 (19th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.6% (22nd lowest)
11. Gov. Doug Burgum (R) – North Dakota
> Popularity: 58% approve; 19% disapprove
> Current term: Dec. 2016 – Dec. 2020
> Governor’s salary: $129,096 (16th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 2.6% (4th lowest)
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12. Gov. Kay Ivey (R) – Alabama
> Popularity: 57% approve; 30% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $120,395 (12th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.9% (21st highest)
13. Gov. Bill Lee (R) – Tennessee
> Popularity: 56% approve; 19% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $194,112 (4th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.5% (21st lowest)
14. Gov. John Carney (D) – Delaware
> Popularity: 55% approve; 25% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2017 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $171,000 (12th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.8% (25th lowest)
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15. Gov. Phil Bryant (R) – Mississippi
> Popularity: 55% approve; 26% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2016 – Jan. 2020
> Governor’s salary: $122,160 (14th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.8% (5th highest)
16. Gov. Gary Herbert (R) – Utah
> Popularity: 55% approve; 28% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2017 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $150,000 (19th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.1% (12th lowest)
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17. Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) – Nebraska
> Popularity: 54% approve; 34% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $105,000 (7th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 2.8% (7th lowest)
18. Gov. Henry McMaster (R) – South Carolina
> Popularity: 54% approve; 26% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $106,078 (8th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.4% (20th lowest)
19. Gov. Brian Kemp (R) – Georgia
> Popularity: 53% approve; 28% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $175,000 (9th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.9% (21st highest)
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20. Gov. Steve Bullock (D) – Montana
> Popularity: 53% approve; 31% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2017 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $115,505 (11th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.7% (24th lowest)
21. Gov. Tom Wolf (D) – Pennsylvania
> Popularity: 53% approve; 33% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $194,850 (3rd highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.3% (10th highest)
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22. Gov. Doug Ducey (R) – Arizona
> Popularity: 52% approve; 30% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $95,000 (3rd lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.8% (5th highest)
23. Gov. Laura Kelly (D) – Kansas
> Popularity: 52% approve; 23% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $99,636 (5th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.4% (20th lowest)
24. Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) – Louisiana
> Popularity: 52% approve; 31% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2016 – Jan. 2020
> Governor’s salary: $130,000 (18th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.9% (3rd highest)
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25. Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) – Nevada
> Popularity: 52% approve; 25% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $149,573 (22nd highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.6% (7th highest)
26. Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) – Indiana
> Popularity: 51% approve; 23% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2017 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $121,331 (13th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.4% (20th lowest)
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27. Gov. Tim Walz (D) – Minnesota
> Popularity: 51% approve; 29% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $127,629 (15th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 2.9% (8th lowest)
28. Gov. Tony Evers (D) – Wisconsin
> Popularity: 49% approve; 34% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $152,756 (18th highest)
> Nov. 2018 voter participation: 62.6% (3rd highest)
> State poverty rate: 11.0% (16th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.0% (11th lowest)
29. Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) – New York
> Popularity: 48% approve; 41% disapprove (tied)
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $200,000 (2nd highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.1% (15th highest)
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30. Gov. Roy Cooper (D) – North Carolina
> Popularity: 48% approve; 30% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2017 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $144,349 (23rd lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.9% (21st highest)
31. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) – Ohio
> Popularity: 48% approve; 32% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $153,650 (17th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.6% (7th highest)
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32. Gov. Kristi Noem (R) – South Dakota
> Popularity: 48% approve; 41% disapprove (tied)
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $113,961 (10th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.0% (11th lowest)
33. Gov. Mike Parson (R) – Missouri
> Popularity: 48% approve; 25% disapprove
> Current term: June 2018 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $133,821 (20th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.2% (13th lowest)
34. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) – New Mexico
> Popularity: 47% approve; 37% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $110,000 (9th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.9% (3rd highest)
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35. Gov. Jay Inslee (D) – Washington
> Popularity: 47% approve; 35% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2017 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $183,072 (6th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.5% (9th highest)
36. Gov. Jared Polis (D) – Colorado
> Popularity: 46% approve; 35% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $90,000 (2nd lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.3% (15th lowest)
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37. Gov. Janet Mills (D) – Maine
> Popularity: 46% approve; 44% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $70,000 (the lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.4% (20th lowest)
38. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) – Michigan
> Popularity: 46% approve; 34% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $159,300 (14th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.1% (15th highest)
39. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) – Iowa
> Popularity: 45% approve; 41% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $130,000 (18th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 2.5% (3rd lowest)
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40. Gov. Phil Murphy (D) – New Jersey
> Popularity: 45% approve; 38% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2018 – Jan. 2022
> Governor’s salary: $175,000 (9th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.1% (15th highest)
41. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) – California
> Popularity: 43% approve; 36% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $201,680 (the highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.2% (13th highest)
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42. Gov. JB Pritzker (D) – Illinois
> Popularity: 43% approve; 42% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $177,412 (8th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.3% (10th highest)
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43. Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) – Alaska
> Popularity: 43% approve; 41% disapprove
> Current term: Dec. 2018 – Dec. 2022
> Governor’s salary: $145,000 (24th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 6.6% (the highest)
44. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) – Virginia
> Popularity: 42% approve; 38% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2018 – Jan. 2022
> Governor’s salary: $175,000 (9th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 3.0% (11th lowest)
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45. Gov. Jim Justice (R) – West Virginia
> Popularity: 42% approve; 47% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2017 – Jan. 2021
> Governor’s salary: $150,000 (19th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 5.3% (2nd highest)
46. Gov. Kate Brown (D) – Oregon
> Popularity: 38% approve; 50% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $98,600 (4th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.2% (13th highest)
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47. Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) – Rhode Island
> Popularity: 36% approve; 56% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $145,755 (25th lowest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.1% (15th highest)
48. Gov. David Ige (D) – Hawaii
> Popularity: 36% approve; 50% disapprove
> Current term: Dec. 2018 – Dec. 2022
> Governor’s salary: $158,700 (15th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 2.4% (the lowest)
49. Gov. Ned Lamont (D) – Connecticut
> Popularity: 35% approve; 48% disapprove
> Current term: Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2023
> Governor’s salary: $150,000 (19th highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.1% (15th highest)
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50. Gov. Matt Bevin (R) – Kentucky
> Popularity: 34% approve; 53% disapprove
> Current term: Dec. 2015 – Dec. 2019
> Governor’s salary: $148,781 (23rd highest)
> 2018 state unemployment: 4.3% (10th highest)
Methodology
To identify America’s most (and least) popular governors, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed approval and disapproval ratings for the governors of all 50 states from Morning Consult, a public opinion data research company. Approval ratings are current as of the third quarter of 2019. Governors were ranked based on approval ratings, and in the case of a tie, the governor with the lower disapproval rating was ranked higher.
We also considered voter turnout data for the November 2018 midterm elections as a proxy for civic engagement. Voter participation data came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey.
To gauge economic conditions in a given state, we reviewed both the annual unemployment rate and the share of the state population living below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is for 2018 and came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The poverty rate came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey.
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