Of all major government institutions, the U.S. Congress is the least trusted by the American people. A recent poll conducted by public opinion research company Morning Consult found that only 39% of adults in the U.S. have at least some trust in Congress, a smaller share than all five other public sector institutions covered in the survey, including the Supreme Court.
Overly negative views of the U.S. legislature should come as little surprise. One study published by the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University found that partisan conflict that results in legislative gridlock, particularly on consensus issues, does meaningful damage to public opinion of Congress.
And partisanship on Capitol Hill has been getting worse for decades. According to analysis conducted by the Pew Research Center, the ideological divide between Democratic and Republican congressional representatives is wider today than at any other time in the last 50 years. This is especially pronounced in the U.S. Senate. (These are the most partisan issues in American politics, ranked.)
While partisanship in the U.S. Senate has undermined public confidence in the institution, many individual lawmakers have managed to improve their standing with voters in recent years, bucking the broader trend.
Using survey data from Morning Consult, 24/7 Wall St. identified the sitting U.S. senators who are gaining popularity. Senators are ranked on the percentage point change in their approval rating over the two-year period from the second quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2023. Only senators with approval ratings that gained at least 2 percentage points since mid-2021 were considered.
Of the 33 U.S. senators on this list, 20 are Democratic, 12 are Republican, and one is an independent. Thirteen of the 33 are up for reelection in 2024, should they choose to run. Among them, approval ratings have climbed by anywhere from 2 percentage points to 15 percentage points in the last two years.
Despite rising approval ratings, not all senators on this list are especially popular. For example, despite a positive 4 percentage point popularity swing in the last two years, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin remains underwater in the polls, with a disapproval rating that outweighs his approval numbers. (Here is a look at the most, and least, popular Republican senators.)
Still, most senators on this list are well regarded by their constituents – at least relative to many of their Senate colleagues. All but 10 of the 33 lawmakers whose popularity is rising fastest rank in the top 50% of all 100 sitting U.S. senators by approval rating – including seven of the 10 most popular senators.
Click here to see senators that are becoming more popular.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
33. Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 49% approve; 35% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 32% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.5% (14th highest of 50 states)
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32. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 51% approve; 30% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 49% approve; 33% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.7% (2nd highest of 50 states)
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31. Sen. Margaret Hassan of New Hampshire (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 52% approve; 38% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 50% approve; 37% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 81.3% (10th highest of 50 states)
30. Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 48% approve; 34% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 35% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.6% (12th lowest of 50 states)
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29. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 47% approve; 34% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 45% approve; 37% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 82.1% (8th highest of 50 states)
28. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 46% approve; 41% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 44% approve; 43% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.2% (10th lowest of 50 states)
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27. Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 48% approve; 34% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 37% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.3% (25th lowest of 50 states)
26. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +2 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 51% approve; 37% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 49% approve; 39% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.5% (11th lowest of 50 states)
25. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 70% approve; 18% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 67% approve; 23% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.1% (18th highest of 50 states)
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24. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 38% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 33% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.5% (14th highest of 50 states)
23. Sen. Robert Casey of Pennsylvania (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 46% approve; 32% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 43% approve; 34% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 83.4% (5th highest of 50 states)
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22. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 47% approve; 33% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 44% approve; 34% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.7% (14th lowest of 50 states)
21. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 49% approve; 31% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 31% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 74.5% (22nd lowest of 50 states)
20. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +3 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 29% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 29% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 85% (the highest of 50 states)
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19. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 43% approve; 48% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 39% approve; 46% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.2% (4th highest of 50 states)
18. Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 44% approve; 34% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 40% approve; 38% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (16th highest of 50 states)
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17. Sen. Angus King of Maine (I)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 62% approve; 28% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 58% approve; 33% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.3% (3rd highest of 50 states)
16. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 40% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 39% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 70.2% (10th lowest of 50 states)
15. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 51% approve; 34% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 36% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.3% (25th lowest of 50 states)
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14. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +4 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 41% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 46% approve; 40% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 79.9% (12th highest of 50 states)
13. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +5 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 46% approve; 41% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 41% approve; 42% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 84.2% (4th highest of 50 states)
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12. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +5 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 62% approve; 26% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 57% approve; 34% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.3% (24th highest of 50 states)
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11. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +5 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 49% approve; 38% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 44% approve; 36% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (16th highest of 50 states)
10. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +5 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 57% approve; 30% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 52% approve; 30% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 71.1% (16th lowest of 50 states)
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9. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +6 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 41% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 44% approve; 45% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.4% (15th highest of 50 states)
8. Sen. Alex Padilla of California (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +6 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 46% approve; 26% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 40% approve; 23% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.6% (22nd highest of 50 states)
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7. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +7 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 63% approve; 26% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 56% approve; 36% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 76.3% (24th highest of 50 states)
6. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +10 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 52% approve; 35% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 42% approve; 41% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 71.1% (16th lowest of 50 states)
5. Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +10 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 61% approve; 27% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 51% approve; 35% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2027
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.6% (25th highest of 50 states)
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4. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +11 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 58% approve; 34% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 47% approve; 40% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 80.9% (11th highest of 50 states)
3. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska (R)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +12 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 50% approve; 39% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 38% approve; 48% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 75.6% (25th highest of 50 states)
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2. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +13 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 65% approve; 23% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 52% approve; 33% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2029
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (17th highest of 50 states)
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1. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii (D)
> 2-yr. change in approval rating: +15 pp.
> Q2 2023 popularity: 63% approve; 26% disapprove
> Q2 2021 popularity: 48% approve; 38% disapprove
> Current term ends on: Jan. 3, 2025
> Registered voters who participated in Nov. 2022 midterm election: 78.2% (17th highest of 50 states)
Methodology
To identify the U.S. senators who are gaining popularity, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage point change in approval ratings for all 92 sitting U.S. senators in mid 2021. Senators are ranked on their increase in approval rating from Q2 2021 to Q2 2023, based on data from Morning Consult. In cases where two or more senators have the same change in approval rating, senators are listed in alphabetical order by the state they represent.
Supplementary data on 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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