These are America's Most and Least Popular State Governors

The level of trust that the public has in high-level U.S. government institutions is currently very low, almost reaching a record low. In a survey conducted by Gallup in June 2023, it was found that only 27% of Americans have a strong level of trust in the U.S. Supreme Court. Public confidence in the offices of elected government officials, such as the presidency and the congress, is very low. Only 26% of people have confidence in the presidency, and only 8% have confidence in the congress.

However, when compared to federal institutions, Americans generally have a higher opinion of the government leadership in their own state.

Each of the 50 current U.S. governors, like the president, serves as a chief executive. Like the president, governors also have the responsibility of considering and balancing the interests, values, and priorities of the people they represent. Most sitting governors have an average approval rating of at least 50%, which is higher than any U.S. president in the last 20 years.

According to data from Morning Consult, a public opinion research company, 24/7 Wall St. has identified the governors who are most and least popular in America. We have evaluated the net-approval rating of all current governors by comparing the percentage of voters who approve of them to the percentage who disapprove. Surveys were done from October 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024. Louisiana is not included in this list because Governor Jeff Landry assumed office in January 2024.

The additional information about the length of time governors serve and their salaries is sourced from The Council of State Governments and the National Governors Association. The state populations and unemployment rates are based on data from the Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

America’s Most and Least Popular State Governors

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott

  • Net approval rating: +71.8 ppt. (85.6% approve; 13.7% disapprove)
  • Tenure: Took office in 2017, currently serving 4th term
  • Governor salary in 2022: $191,734
  • 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.0%
  • State population: 647,064

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon

  • Net approval rating: +55.0 ppt. (70.7% approve; 15.7% disapprove)
  • Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
  • Governor salary in 2022: $105,000
  • 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.9%
  • State population: 581,381

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D)

  • Net approval rating: +38.1 ppt. (60.7% approve; 22.5% disapprove)
  • Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
  • Governor salary in 2022: $180,000
  • 2023 state unemployment rate: 2.1%
  • State population: 6,164,660

Also Read: This Charming South Carolina City Becomes the Most Beautiful Cities In The World

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R)

  • Net approval rating: +33.2 ppt. (59.9% approve; 26.8% disapprove)
  • Tenure: Took office in 2016, currently serving 2nd term
  • Governor salary in 2022: $140,830
  • 2023 state unemployment rate: 1.9%
  • State population: 779,261

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D)

  • Net approval rating: +31.7 ppt. (61.9% approve; 30.3% disapprove)
  • Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
  • Governor salary in 2022: $150,000
  • 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.8%
  • State population: 3,626,205

Nevada Gov. Joseph Lombardo (R)

  • Net approval rating: +30.7 ppt. (58.4% approve; 27.7% disapprove)
  • Tenure: Took office in 2023, currently serving 1st term
  • Governor salary in 2022: $163,474
  • 2023 state unemployment rate: 5.1%
  • State population: 3,177,772

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D)

  • Net approval rating: +29.2 ppt. (62.1% approve; 32.9% disapprove)
  • Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 2nd term
  • Governor salary in 2022: $152,181
  • 2023 state unemployment rate: 4.2%
  • State population: 4,512,310

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R)

  • Net approval rating: +28.0 ppt. (59.1% approve; 31.1% disapprove)
  • Tenure: Took office in 2019, currently serving 1st term
  • Governor salary in 2022: $204,336
  • 2023 state unemployment rate: 3.3%
  • State population: 7,051,339

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