Bernie Sanders has the highest approval rating of any U.S. senator

If Bernie Sanders loses the Democratic presidential primary, at least his seat in the Senate should be pretty safe. A survey of voters by Morning Consult out Tuesday reveals that the Vermont independent has the highest approval rating of any U.S. senator, snagging the support of 83 percent of his Vermont constituents. Only 13 percent disapprove.
That's miles ahead of the ratings of some of the GOP presidential hopefuls in the Senate. In comparison, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has an approval rating of 52 percent, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has 50 percent approval. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has a 48 percent approval rating, while South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has 51 percent approval.
Even compared to the most popular Republican in the Senate, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, Sanders soars points ahead. Collins has 78 percent approval from Maine voters and 16 percent disapproval. The only other Democratic senator to come close to Sanders' level of approval is Sanders' fellow Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, who has 71 percent approval and 22 percent disapproval.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Morning Consult surveyed 76,569 registered voters across all 50 states over several months. The survey's margin of error varies by state sample size, for which the median is 1,172 respondents. Sanders' survey's margin of error is plus or minus 6.5 percentage points.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The US-China trade war comes to Hollywood
Under the Radar China's retaliatory restrictions on foreign films will hurt the US film industry
By Genevieve Bates
-
Ione Skye's 6 favorite books about love and loss
Feature The actress recommends works by James Baldwin, Nora Ephron, and more
By The Week US
-
Book review: 'Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus' and 'When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines'
Feature The college dropout who ruled the magazine era and the mysteries surrounding Jesus Christ
By The Week US
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US