The Least Popular Members Of Congress From Every State

Special Report

Published: January 18, 2020 6:44 pm

Last Updated: February 17, 2020 9:12 am

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 a 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, even for sitting senators, approval ratings often fall in the low 30% range. Only four senators on this list have an approval rating above 50%.

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 least popular members of Congress from every state.
Click here to see the most popular members of Congress from every state.
Click here to see our methodology.

1. Alabama
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Doug Jones
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 41.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, 5th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 61.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 7

See all stories featuring: Alabama

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2. Alaska
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 41.0%
> 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

ALSO READ: States Where Americans Are Paying the Most Taxes

3. Arizona
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Martha McSally
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 37.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Tom O’Halleran, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 53.8% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 9

See all stories featuring: Arizona

4. Arkansas
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Tom Cotton
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. French Hill, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 52.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4

See all stories featuring: Arkansas

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5. California
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 41.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. TJ Cox, 21st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 53

See all stories featuring: California

6. Colorado
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Cory Gardner
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 37.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Scott Tipton, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 51.5% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 7

See all stories featuring: Colorado

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7. Connecticut
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 46.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes, 5th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 55.9% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 5

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

ALSO READ: Best City to Live in Every State

8. Delaware
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Tom Carper
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 50.0%
> 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

9. Florida
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Rick Scott
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, 26th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.9% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 27

See all stories featuring: Florida

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10. Georgia
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 44.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Rob Woodall, 7th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 14

See all stories featuring: Georgia

11. Hawaii
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Ed Case, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 73.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

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12. Idaho
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Jim Risch
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 46.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Michael Simpson, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 60.7% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2

See all stories featuring: Idaho

ALSO READ: States With The Biggest And Smallest Governments

13. Illinois
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 38.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Rodney Davis, 13th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 18

See all stories featuring: Illinois

14. Indiana
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Todd Young
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 43.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 54.8% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 9

See all stories featuring: Indiana

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15. Iowa
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Joni Ernst
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 37.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Cindy Axne, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 49.3% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4

See all stories featuring: Iowa

16. Kansas
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Pat Roberts
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 37.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Steve Watkins, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 47.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4

See all stories featuring: Kansas

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17. Kentucky
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 37.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Andy Barr, 6th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 51.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 6

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

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18. Louisiana
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Clay Higgins, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 55.7% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 6

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

Susan Collins & Martha McSally by Gage Skidmore

Susan Collins & Martha McSally (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

19. Maine
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Susan Collins
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 42.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2

See all stories featuring: Maine

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20. Maryland
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 46.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. David Trone, 6th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 59.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 8

See all stories featuring: Maryland

21. Massachusetts
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 50.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Bill Keating, 9th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 59.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 9

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

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22. Michigan
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Gary Peters
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 37.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Fred Upton, 6th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 14

See all stories featuring: Michigan

ALSO READ: States Where Americans Are Paying the Most Taxes

23. Minnesota
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Tina Smith
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 42.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Jim Hagedorn, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 8

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

24. Mississippi
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Michael Guest, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 62.3% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4

See all stories featuring: Mississippi

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Roy Blunt (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

25. Missouri
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Roy Blunt
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 40.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Ann Wagner, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 51.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 8

See all stories featuring: Missouri

26. Montana
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Steve Daines
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> 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
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Deb Fischer
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 41.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Don Bacon, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 51.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 3

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

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28. Nevada
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 38.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Susie Lee, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 51.9% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4

See all stories featuring: Nevada

Maggie Hassan (CC BY 2.0) by Tim Pierce

29. New Hampshire
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 51.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 53.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

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30. New Jersey
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 35.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Andrew Kim, 3rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 12

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

31. New Mexico
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 39.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.9% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 3

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

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32. New York
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 42.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Chris Collins, 27th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 49.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 27

See all stories featuring: New York

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33. North Carolina
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Thom Tillis
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 34.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. George Holding, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 51.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 13

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

34. North Dakota
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> 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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Rob Portman (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

35. Ohio
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Rob Portman
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 40.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Steve Chabot, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 51.3% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 16

See all stories featuring: Ohio

36. Oklahoma
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. James Inhofe
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 43.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn, 5th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.7% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 5

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

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37. Oregon
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 45.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader, 5th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 55.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 5

See all stories featuring: Oregon

ALSO READ: The Fastest Growing and Shrinking State Economies

38. Pennsylvania
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Pat Toomey
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 40.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 51.3% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 18

See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania

39. Rhode Island
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 51.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Jim Langevin, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 63.5% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 2

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

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40. South Carolina
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 48.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 7

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

41. South Dakota
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Mike Rounds
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 50.0%
> 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
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 45.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais, 4th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 63.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 9

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

ALSO READ: States Where Americans Are Paying the Most Taxes

43. Texas
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. John Cornyn
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 44.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Will Hurd, 23rd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 49.2% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 36

See all stories featuring: Texas

44. Utah
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Mike Lee
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 46.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams, 4th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.1% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 4

See all stories featuring: Utah

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45. Vermont
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 64.0%
> 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

Tim Kaine (CC BY 2.0) by Tim Pierce

46. Virginia
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 45.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, 7th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 50.3% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 11

See all stories featuring: Virginia

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47. Washington
> Less popular senator: Democratic Sen. Patty Murray
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 46.0%
> Least popular House member: Democratic Rep. Kim Schrier, 8th District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 52.4% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 10

See all stories featuring: Washington

ALSO READ: Best City to Live in Every State

48. West Virginia
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 47.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Alexander Mooney, 2nd District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 54.0% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 3

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

49. Wisconsin
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Ron Johnson
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 41.0%
> Least popular House member: Republican Rep. Bryan Steil, 1st District
> Support in 2018 midterm election: 54.6% of the vote
> Total congressional districts in the state: 8

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

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50. Wyoming
> Less popular senator: Republican Sen. Mike Enzi
> Q4 2019 approval rating: 62.0%
> 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 least 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 lowest approval rating ranked as the least 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 higher disapproval ranking ranked as the least popular.

To identify the least 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 smallest margin of victory ranks as the least 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 least 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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