Special Report

Most and Least Popular Republican Senators

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Historically, the first midterm election of any new president’s administration often results in a net-gain of congressional seats to the opposition party. Between the end of World War II and 2018, there have been 19 such elections. Of those, the president’s party gained seats in the Senate only four times and in the House only twice. 

While the 2022 midterm elections followed the historical pattern in the House, the Senate elections were a different story. Though the Republican Party was widely favored to win a Senate majority by a narrow margin, Democratic candidates prevailed in a series of tight races, and the GOP’s foothold in the chamber fell from 50 seats to 49. (Here is a look at Biden’s approval rating in every state.)

In the months since the election, political pundits have attempted to understand how the Republican Party squandered the opportunity to gain seats in the Senate, and one common answer has been weak candidates running in swing states. These include Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania and Herschel Walker in Georgia, both of whom, unlike their Democratic opponents, had never held elected office. 

For elected officials who want to keep their job, some level of popularity is necessary. And even though sitting Republican senators have won their recent races, many have largely fallen out of favor with their constituents and face an uphill battle, should they choose to run for reelection.

Using data from public opinion research company Morning Consult, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most and least popular Republican senators. We ranked all 49 Republican senators by their 2023 approval rating. Ties were broken by disapproval ratings, and in cases where senators shared the same approval and disapproval rating, the senator with the largest survey sample size ranked higher.

Among the 49 Senate Republicans, approval ratings range from just 28% to as high as 63%. Of all 100 U.S. senators, seven of the 10 least popular are Republicans – including Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, whose approval rating is by far the lowest of any sitting senator. Meanwhile, four of the 10 most popular U.S. senators are Republican. (Here is a look at the most and least popular Democratic senators.)

Click here to see the most and least popular Republican senators.

Click here to see our detailed methodology.

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49. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
> Popularity: 28% approve, 64% disapprove (least popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 62.1% Republican (7th highest); 36.2% Democratic (8th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 72.8% (20th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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48. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina
> Popularity: 38% approve, 41% disapprove (98th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 49.9% Republican (25th highest); 48.6% Democratic (25th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.0% (24th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.7% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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47. Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina
> Popularity: 39% approve, 37% disapprove (97th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 49.9% Republican (25th highest); 48.6% Democratic (25th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.0% (24th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.7% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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46. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio
> Popularity: 39% approve, 34% disapprove (96th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 53.3% Republican (20th highest); 45.2% Democratic (22nd lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.7% (14th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 4.0% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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45. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin
> Popularity: 40% approve, 52% disapprove (95th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 48.8% Republican (23rd lowest); 49.4% Democratic (24th highest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.2% (4th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.9% (lower than nat’l avg.)

44. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine
> Popularity: 41% approve, 53% disapprove (93rd most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 44.0% Republican (17th lowest); 53.1% Democratic (17th highest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.3% (3rd highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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43. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas
> Popularity: 42% approve, 37% disapprove (91st most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 52.1% Republican (23rd highest); 46.5% Democratic (23rd lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 72.0% (19th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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42. Sen. Todd Young of Indiana
> Popularity: 42% approve, 36% disapprove (89th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 57.0% Republican (15th highest); 41.0% Democratic (15th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 63.1% (2nd lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0% (lower than nat’l avg.)

41. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina
> Popularity: 43% approve, 47% disapprove (88th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 55.1% Republican (19th highest); 43.4% Democratic (20th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 69.7% (9th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.2% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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40. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi
> Popularity: 43% approve, 35% disapprove (86th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 57.6% Republican (14th highest); 41.1% Democratic (16th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 63.9% (3rd lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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39. Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana
> Popularity: 43% approve, 35% disapprove (85th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 57.0% Republican (15th highest); 41.0% Democratic (15th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 63.1% (2nd lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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38. Sen. Joshua Hawley of Missouri
> Popularity: 44% approve, 38% disapprove (81st most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 56.8% Republican (17th highest); 41.4% Democratic (17th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 69.6% (8th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.5% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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37. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas
> Popularity: 44% approve, 37% disapprove (79th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 56.2% Republican (18th highest); 41.6% Democratic (18th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.1% (19th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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36. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi
> Popularity: 44% approve, 37% disapprove (78th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 57.6% Republican (14th highest); 41.1% Democratic (16th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 63.9% (3rd lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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35. Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri
> Popularity: 44% approve, 32% disapprove (76th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 56.8% Republican (17th highest); 41.4% Democratic (17th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 69.6% (8th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.5% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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34. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida
> Popularity: 45% approve, 41% disapprove (74th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 51.2% Republican (24th highest); 47.9% Democratic (24th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 77.5% (20th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.9% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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33. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana
> Popularity: 45% approve, 39% disapprove (73rd most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 56.9% Republican (16th highest); 40.5% Democratic (14th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 80.9% (11th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.6% (lower than nat’l avg.)

32. Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska
> Popularity: 45% approve, 38% disapprove (72nd most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 58.5% Republican (11th highest); 39.4% Democratic (12th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.6% (12th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.3% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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31. Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska
> Popularity: 45% approve, 37% disapprove (70th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 58.5% Republican (11th highest); 39.4% Democratic (12th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.6% (12th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.3% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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30. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas
> Popularity: 46% approve, 45% disapprove (67th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 52.1% Republican (23rd highest); 46.5% Democratic (23rd lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 72.0% (19th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9% (higher than nat’l avg.)

29. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa
> Popularity: 46% approve, 40% disapprove (66th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 53.1% Republican (21st highest); 44.9% Democratic (21st lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.2% (10th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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28. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah
> Popularity: 46% approve, 39% disapprove (65th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 58.1% Republican (13th highest); 37.6% Democratic (11th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.4% (15th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.3% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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27. Sen. Shelley Capito of West Virginia
> Popularity: 46% approve, 38% disapprove (64th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 68.6% Republican (2nd highest); 29.7% Democratic (2nd lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 61.3% (the lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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26. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah
> Popularity: 47% approve, 43% disapprove (61st most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 58.1% Republican (13th highest); 37.6% Democratic (11th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.4% (15th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.3% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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25. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
> Popularity: 47% approve, 38% disapprove (60th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 58.5% Republican (12th highest); 39.9% Democratic (13th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 71.1% (16th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.7% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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24. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas
> Popularity: 47% approve, 34% disapprove (56th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 56.2% Republican (18th highest); 41.6% Democratic (18th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.1% (19th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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23. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma
> Popularity: 47% approve, 28% disapprove (52nd most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 65.4% Republican (3rd highest); 32.3% Democratic (4th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 69.0% (7th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0% (lower than nat’l avg.)

22. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
> Popularity: 48% approve, 46% disapprove (51st most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 52.8% Republican (22nd highest); 42.8% Democratic (19th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.6% (25th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 4.0% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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21. Sen. Michael Crapo of Idaho
> Popularity: 48% approve, 38% disapprove (50th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 63.9% Republican (5th highest); 33.1% Democratic (5th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 74.7% (23rd lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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20. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky
> Popularity: 49% approve, 39% disapprove (47th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 62.1% Republican (7th highest); 36.2% Democratic (8th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 72.8% (20th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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19. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama
> Popularity: 49% approve, 22% disapprove (46th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 62.0% Republican (8th highest); 36.6% Democratic (9th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 67.5% (5th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.6% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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18. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa
> Popularity: 50% approve, 39% disapprove (43rd most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 53.1% Republican (21st highest); 44.9% Democratic (21st lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.2% (10th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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17. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida
> Popularity: 50% approve, 39% disapprove (42nd most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 51.2% Republican (24th highest); 47.9% Democratic (24th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 77.5% (20th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.9% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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16. Sen. James Risch of Idaho
> Popularity: 50% approve, 34% disapprove (40th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 63.9% Republican (5th highest); 33.1% Democratic (5th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 74.7% (23rd lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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15. Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama
> Popularity: 50% approve, 32% disapprove (36th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 62.0% Republican (8th highest); 36.6% Democratic (9th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 67.5% (5th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.6% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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14. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee
> Popularity: 52% approve, 33% disapprove (30th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 60.7% Republican (10th highest); 37.5% Democratic (10th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 66.1% (4th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.4% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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13. Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota
> Popularity: 52% approve, 27% disapprove (29th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 65.1% Republican (4th highest); 31.8% Democratic (3rd lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 68.9% (6th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.1% (lower than nat’l avg.)

12. Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska
> Popularity: 53% approve, 35% disapprove (24th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 52.8% Republican (22nd highest); 42.8% Democratic (19th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.6% (25th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 4.0% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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11. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina
> Popularity: 53% approve, 31% disapprove (22nd most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 55.1% Republican (19th highest); 43.4% Democratic (20th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 69.7% (9th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.2% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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10. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana
> Popularity: 54% approve, 33% disapprove (20th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 58.5% Republican (12th highest); 39.9% Democratic (13th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 71.1% (16th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.7% (higher than nat’l avg.)

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9. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma
> Popularity: 54% approve, 32% disapprove (19th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 65.4% Republican (3rd highest); 32.3% Democratic (4th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 69.0% (7th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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8. Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota
> Popularity: 54% approve, 27% disapprove (17th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 65.1% Republican (4th highest); 31.8% Democratic (3rd lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 68.9% (6th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.1% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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7. Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee
> Popularity: 54% approve, 27% disapprove (15th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 60.7% Republican (10th highest); 37.5% Democratic (10th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 66.1% (4th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.4% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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6. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas
> Popularity: 55% approve, 31% disapprove (13th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 62.4% Republican (6th highest); 34.8% Democratic (6th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.7% (13th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.3% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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5. Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas
> Popularity: 55% approve, 27% disapprove (12th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 62.4% Republican (6th highest); 34.8% Democratic (6th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.7% (13th lowest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.3% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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4. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota
> Popularity: 61% approve, 31% disapprove (7th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 61.8% Republican (9th highest); 35.6% Democratic (7th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.3% (24th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.1% (lower than nat’l avg.)

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3. Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming
> Popularity: 61% approve, 28% disapprove (6th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2027
> 2020 presidential election results: 69.9% Republican (the highest); 26.6% Democratic (the lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.1% (18th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.6% (in line with nat’l avg.)

2. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota
> Popularity: 63% approve, 31% disapprove (4th most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2029
> 2020 presidential election results: 61.8% Republican (9th highest); 35.6% Democratic (7th lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.3% (24th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 2.1% (lower than nat’l avg.)

1. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming
> Popularity: 63% approve, 26% disapprove (3rd most popular of all 100 U.S. senators)
> Current term ends in: 2025
> 2020 presidential election results: 69.9% Republican (the highest); 26.6% Democratic (the lowest)
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.1% (18th highest of 50 states)
> State unemployment rate, 2022: 3.6% (in line with nat’l avg.)

Methodology

To identify America’s most and least popular Republican 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. We ranked all 49 Republican senators by their 2023 approval rating. Ties were broken by disapproval ratings, and in cases where senators shared the same approval and disapproval rating, the senator with the largest survey sample size ranked higher.

All polling data was collected among registered voters in the state represented by the senator in question in the first quarter of 2023. 

We also reviewed the 2022 unemployment rate by state from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the share of registered voters who participated on election day in 2022 from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey. 

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