Once regarded as the greatest deliberative body in the world, the U.S. Senate has devolved into a chamber defined more by ideological divisions than statesmanship and bi-partisan, good-faith debate. These changes have occurred steadily over decades and contributed to an erosion of public confidence. According to Gallup polling data, 75%-80% of Americans disapprove of the way Congress has handled its job in 2022 – compared to less than 50% throughout much of the 1970s and ‘80s.
While public sentiment towards Capitol Hill is overwhelmingly negative, Americans tend to judge their own senators with a greater degree of leniency. According to a 2022 survey conducted by public opinion research company Morning Consult, all but a handful of U.S. senators have a net-positive favorability rating. Still, most senators also have approval ratings below 50%.
Using polling data from Morning Consult, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 least popular U.S. senators. Senators are ranked by their approval rating, and in the case of a tie, the senator with a higher disapproval rating ranks higher. Among the 50 least popular senators, approval ratings range from 47% to 33% – and six of them have underwater approval ratings. Among the senators on this list 24 are Democratic and 26 are Republican.
Public approval of senators is subject to a wide range of factors, including policy positions, their state’s economic health, and even their personality. While earning the approval of their constituents is the most effective way for senators to remain in office, in areas where voter turnout is low, controversial and even unpopular lawmakers can still win elections. Here is a look at the worst corruption scandal in each state.
Elections for a given senate seat are held every six years, and this November, 34 senate seats are up for grabs – including 19 held by senators on this list. All but four senators on this list whose terms are up in 2023 – Republican Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Roy Blunt of Missouri, and Rob Portman of Ohio – are running for reelection this year.
Click here to see America’s least popular senators
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D) of Colorado
> Popularity: 47% approve, 31% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Colorado: 62.7% (24th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.4%
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49. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D) of New Mexico
> Popularity: 47% approve, 33% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in New Mexico: 58.3% (10th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.8%
48. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) of California
> Popularity: 47% approve, 35% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in California: 55.7% (5th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 7.3%
47. Sen. Ron Wyden (D) of Oregon
> Popularity: 47% approve, 35% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Oregon: 71.3% (5th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.2%
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46. Sen. Rand Paul (R) of Kentucky
> Popularity: 47% approve, 40% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Kentucky: 65.3% (15th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.7%
45. Sen. Mark Kelly (D) of Arizona
> Popularity: 47% approve, 43% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Arizona: 64.7% (17th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.9%
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44. Sen. Susan M. Collins (R) of Maine
> Popularity: 47% approve, 49% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Maine: 70.5% (6th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.6%
43. Sen. Alex Padilla (D) of California
> Popularity: 46% approve, 25% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in California: 55.7% (5th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 7.3%
42. Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D) of New York
> Popularity: 46% approve, 33% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in New York: 57.0% (8th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.9%
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41. Sen. James E. Risch (R) of Idaho
> Popularity: 46% approve, 35% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Idaho: 61.6% (23rd lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.6%
40. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D) of Illinois
> Popularity: 46% approve, 37% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Illinois: 62.7% (25th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.1%
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39. Sen. Tim Kaine (D) of Virginia
> Popularity: 46% approve, 37% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Virginia: 66.0% (14th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.9%
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38. Sen. Josh Hawley (R) of Missouri
> Popularity: 46% approve, 37% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Missouri: 64.5% (18th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.4%
37. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R) of Iowa
> Popularity: 46% approve, 39% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Iowa: 68.5% (9th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.2%
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36. Sen. Mike Crapo (R) of Idaho
> Popularity: 46% approve, 39% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Idaho: 61.6% (23rd lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.6%
35. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D) of Connecticut
> Popularity: 46% approve, 41% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Connecticut: 60.5% (19th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.3%
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34. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) of South Carolina
> Popularity: 46% approve, 44% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in South Carolina: 61.3% (21st lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.0%
33. Sen. John Cornyn (R) of Texas
> Popularity: 45% approve, 34% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Texas: 55.3% (3rd lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.7%
32. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D) of Oregon
> Popularity: 45% approve, 34% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Oregon: 71.3% (5th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.2%
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31. Sen. Jerry Moran (R) of Kansas
> Popularity: 45% approve, 36% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Kansas: 60.1% (18th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.2%
30. Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D) of Georgia
> Popularity: 45% approve, 41% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Georgia: 60.9% (20th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.9%
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29. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) of Alaska
> Popularity: 45% approve, 45% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Alaska: 62.4% (25th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.4%
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28. Sen. Mike Braun (R) of Indiana
> Popularity: 44% approve, 34% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Indiana: 58.9% (13th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.6%
27. Sen. Tina Smith (D) of Minnesota
> Popularity: 44% approve, 35% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Minnesota: 74.3% (the highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.4%
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26. Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D) of Illinois
> Popularity: 44% approve, 37% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Illinois: 62.7% (25th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.1%
25. Sen. Roy Blunt (R) of Missouri
> Popularity: 44% approve, 38% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Not seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Missouri: 64.5% (18th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.4%
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24. Sen. Deb Fischer (R) of Nebraska
> Popularity: 44% approve, 38% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Nebraska: 62.2% (24th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 2.5%
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23. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) of Michigan
> Popularity: 44% approve, 39% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Michigan: 64.1% (20th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.9%
22. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) of Mississippi
> Popularity: 44% approve, 39% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Mississippi: 69.2% (7th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.6%
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21. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) of Georgia
> Popularity: 44% approve, 40% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Georgia: 60.9% (20th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.9%
20. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) of Nevada
> Popularity: 44% approve, 40% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Nevada: 56.3% (6th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 7.2%
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19. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D) of Arizona
> Popularity: 44% approve, 42% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Arizona: 64.7% (17th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.9%
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18. Sen. Joni Ernst (R) of Iowa
> Popularity: 44% approve, 42% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Iowa: 68.5% (9th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.2%
17. Sen. Todd Young (R) of Indiana
> Popularity: 43% approve, 32% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Indiana: 58.9% (13th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.6%
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16. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) of Ohio
> Popularity: 43% approve, 35% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Ohio: 68.5% (10th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.1%
15. Sen. Roger F. Wicker (R) of Mississippi
> Popularity: 43% approve, 37% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Mississippi: 69.2% (7th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.6%
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14. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) of Louisiana
> Popularity: 43% approve, 40% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Louisiana: 59.4% (14th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.5%
13. Sen. Ben Sasse (R) of Nebraska
> Popularity: 43% approve, 40% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Nebraska: 62.2% (24th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 2.5%
12. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) of Wisconsin
> Popularity: 43% approve, 42% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Wisconsin: 71.7% (4th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.8%
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11. Sen. Robert P. Casey (D) of Pennsylvania
> Popularity: 42% approve, 37% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Pennsylvania: 68.2% (12th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.3%
10. Sen. Gary C. Peters (D) of Michigan
> Popularity: 42% approve, 37% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Michigan: 64.1% (20th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.9%
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9. Sen. Rob Portman (R) of Ohio
> Popularity: 41% approve, 35% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Not seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Ohio: 68.5% (10th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 5.1%
8. Sen. Robert Menendez (D) of New Jersey
> Popularity: 41% approve, 37% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in New Jersey: 68.2% (11th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.3%
7. Sen. Roger Marshall (R) of Kansas
> Popularity: 41% approve, 40% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Kansas: 60.1% (18th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.2%
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6. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D) of Nevada
> Popularity: 39% approve, 38% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2025
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Nevada: 56.3% (6th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 7.2%
5. Sen. Thom Tillis (R) of North Carolina
> Popularity: 39% approve, 40% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in North Carolina: 58.9% (11th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.8%
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4. Sen. Ron Johnson (R) of Wisconsin
> Popularity: 37% approve, 51% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Wisconsin: 71.7% (4th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 3.8%
3. Sen. Richard Burr (R) of North Carolina
> Popularity: 36% approve, 40% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Not seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in North Carolina: 58.9% (11th lowest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.8%
2. Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R) of Pennsylvania
> Popularity: 36% approve, 43% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2023 (Not seeking re-election)
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Pennsylvania: 68.2% (12th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 6.3%
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1. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) of Kentucky
> Popularity: 33% approve, 60% disapprove
> Current term ends: 2027
> Nov. 2020 voter participation in Kentucky: 65.3% (15th highest)
> 2021 state unemployment: 4.7%
Methodology
To identify America’s least 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 ties were broken by disapproval rating. In cases where two or more senators have the same approval and disapproval rating, the senator from the state where polls were taken from a larger sample size of registered voters ranks higher.
All polling data was collected among registered voters in the state represented by the senator in question in the first quarter of 2022.
We also reviewed the unemployment rate by state from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the share of voters who participated on election day in 2020 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey.
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