50 most popular Democratic politicians today
The Democratic Party is not only America’s oldest existing political party—it’s also one of the world’s most historic political parties. Founded in the 1790s, the party has seen thousands of politicians work through its ranks over the past few hundred years, many of whom have largely been forgotten by everyday Americans. A few popular trailblazers, however, have used their time in the Democratic Party to propel major reforms and win the love of generations of Americans across the country. These popular politicians tend to be viewed as the ideal leaders, who set a standard against which all future members of the party should be measured.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for becoming a beloved politician, though. Some voters look for stalwart activists, like former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who has committed his life to fighting against climate change. Other voters think disciplined policy wonks, like former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, are our best bet for a better future. And some, who think the Democratic Party is growing stale and could use some fresh blood, have been putting their loyalty behind progressive newcomers, like Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar.
Each politician’s popularity depends on the political leanings of their voter base, how well they get the public on board with their ideas, and how memorable they become over time. When thinking about who stands out in the Democratic Party, a few politicians often come to mind—but which ones are the most popular? To find who ranks the highest, Stacker compiled a list of the 50 most popular Democratic politicians based on data collected by YouGov. The market research and data analytics firm collected 7,614 interviews between May 2019 and May 2020. Respondent age groups are defined as follows: Baby Boomers, 1946-1964; Generation X, 1965-1981; Millennials, 1982-1999. This list is ranked by Democrats who have the highest positive opinion among voters, with ties broken by how famous the politician is.
Curious to see if your favorite politician made the cut? Read ahead to see the 50 most popular Democratic politicians today—and see if #1 surprises you.
#50. Gavin Newsom
- Positive opinion of this politician: 21%
--- Positive opinion among women: 43% (88th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 57% (61st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 35% (94th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 27% (20th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 30% (77th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 18%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 16%
- People who have heard of this politician: 54%
California Gov. Gavin Newsom served as the state’s lieutenant governor from 2011-2019 and San Francisco’s mayor from 2004–2011. He helped propel the legalization of same-sex marriage, passed universal pre-K measures, and pushed forward reforms on criminal justice and gun safety.
#49. Sheila Jackson Lee
- Positive opinion of this politician: 21%
--- Positive opinion among women: 48% (27th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 52% (122nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 37% (71st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 24% (91st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 32% (63rd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 17%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 13%
- People who have heard of this politician: 51%
In her 13 terms as the congresswoman representing Texas’ 18th congressional district, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has made it her mission to uphold Constitutional rights for all Americans. She authored the Violence Against Women Act and introduced bills aimed at reducing juvenile crime, preventing bullying, and easing prison overcrowding.
#48. Howard Dean
- Positive opinion of this politician: 21%
--- Positive opinion among women: 42% (98th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 58% (51st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 36% (89th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (76th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 32% (62nd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 21%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 21%
- People who have heard of this politician: 63%
Former two-time presidential candidate Howard Dean served six terms as the governor of Vermont and chaired the Democratic National Committee from 2005–2009. While leading the DNC, Howard created and deployed the “50 State Strategy,” a plan aimed at helping the Democratic party win every state in the nation, rather than automatically conceding conservative states to the Republicans.
#47. Janet Napolitano
- Positive opinion of this politician: 21%
--- Positive opinion among women: 47% (32nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 53% (116th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 25% (144th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (104th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 40% (5th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 19%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 21%
- People who have heard of this politician: 62%
Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano was the first woman to become the attorney general of Arizona in 1999, as well as the first Democrat in a dozen years to become governor of the state in 2003. After resigning from the federal government in September 2013, she took the role of president of the University of California.
#46. Harry Reid
- Positive opinion of this politician: 22%
--- Positive opinion among women: 45% (58th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 55% (91st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 32% (120th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 22% (128th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 39% (14th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 23%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 21%
- People who have heard of this politician: 65%
Former Nevada Sen. Harry Reid served as the U.S. Senate majority leader for eight years, starting in 2007. While in Congress, he spearheaded a Senate ethics reform bill that prohibited senators from traveling on borrowed corporate jets and accepting gifts and meals from lobbyists. The bill passed with a near-consensus of votes in 2007.
#45. Barney Frank
- Positive opinion of this politician: 22%
--- Positive opinion among women: 42% (101st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 58% (48th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 32% (121st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (122nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 37% (18th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 22%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 16%
- People who have heard of this politician: 61%
Former politician Barney Frank spent 16 terms as a member of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts, eventually leaving in 2013. Frank, who was chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, was a co-sponsor of the Dodd-Frank Act, which placed sweeping new regulations on the financial industry. He also became the first member of Congress to publicly announce he was gay in 1987.
#44. Jerry Brown
- Positive opinion of this politician: 22%
--- Positive opinion among women: 43% (93rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 57% (56th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 28% (140th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 24% (85th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 40% (9th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 25%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 17%
- People who have heard of this politician: 64%
Jerry Brown was California’s 34th and 39th governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. He was also mayor of Oakland, California, in the early 2000s. As a politician, he was known for being a fiscal conservative and strong environmentalist. He has been credited for turning California’s $27 billion deficit into a projected $14.8 billion surplus—a turnaround that helped end the Great Recession, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board.
#43. Tim Kaine
- Positive opinion of this politician: 22%
--- Positive opinion among women: 45% (60th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 55% (89th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 34% (97th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (58th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 32% (58th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 22%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 18%
- People who have heard of this politician: 62%
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine served as mayor of Richmond, Virginia, and the 70th governor of the state, before joining Congress in 2012. During his career as a politician, he has pushed for affordable health care, smart defense strategy, benefits for veterans, and job-training programs for students.
#42. Robert Reich
- Positive opinion of this politician: 23%
--- Positive opinion among women: 43% (75th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 57% (75th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 30% (128th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 26% (27th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 37% (21st most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 8%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 15%
- People who have heard of this politician: 46%
Robert Reich, who was the secretary of labor for four years until 1997, was named by Time magazine as one of the “top 10 most effective cabinet secretaries of the 20th century.” He is known for enacting the Family and Medical Leave Act, pushing for a boost in the minimum wage, and providing laid-off workers with access to training programs.
#41. Donna Brazile
- Positive opinion of this politician: 23%
--- Positive opinion among women: 48% (21st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 52% (128th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 32% (117th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (116th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 36% (33rd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 22%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 15%
- People who have heard of this politician: 61%
Donna Brazile ran the campaign for Al Gore’s 2000 run for president, becoming the first black woman to lead a major presidential campaign. She has twice served as the Democratic National Committee’s interim chair.
#40. Patrick Kennedy
- Positive opinion of this politician: 24%
--- Positive opinion among women: 49% (14th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 51% (135th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 29% (133rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 22% (139th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 39% (13th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 16%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 26%
- People who have heard of this politician: 66%
Patrick Kennedy represented the 1st congressional district of Rhode Island in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995–2011. Kennedy sponsored a variety of bills related to mental health, including the successfully-passed Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. He also co-founded the Congressional Down Syndrome caucus.
#39. Barbara Boxer
- Positive opinion of this politician: 24%
--- Positive opinion among women: 44% (62nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 56% (87th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 32% (118th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 24% (93rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 36% (29th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 19%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 17%
- People who have heard of this politician: 60%
Retired politician Barbara Boxer represented California’s Marin and Sonoma counties in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983–1993 and served as a senator from 1993–2017. When she was elected to her third term in the U.S. Senate, she earned the most votes of any Senate election in history up until that time. She served on both the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Select Committee on Ethics.
#38. Kirsten Gillibrand
- Positive opinion of this politician: 24%
--- Positive opinion among women: 46% (52nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 54% (97th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 36% (81st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (57th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 32% (57th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 23%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 22%
- People who have heard of this politician: 69%
Kirsten Gillibrand has been the junior senator from New York for the past 11 years, after serving as the congressional representative of the state’s 20th district from 2007–2009. She spearheaded the fight to get rid of the military’s anti-gay “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and worked to get 9/11 first responders and survivors long-term care and compensation for the diseases they came down with after the terrorist attacks.
#37. Tulsi Gabbard
- Positive opinion of this politician: 24%
--- Positive opinion among women: 39% (133rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 61% (16th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 38% (70th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (48th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 30% (81st most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 21%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 19%
- People who have heard of this politician: 64%
Tulsi Gabbard became the youngest woman to ever join a U.S. state legislature when she was elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives in 2002. In 2012, she went on to represent Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives—a position she still holds today. She is a proponent of universal basic income, Medicare for All, and codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law.
#36. Andrew Young
- Positive opinion of this politician: 24%
--- Positive opinion among women: 46% (44th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 54% (105th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 25% (146th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 22% (133rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 45% (1st most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 9%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 16%
- People who have heard of this politician: 49%
Andrew Young served as a member of Congress from Georgia, was the first African American to hold the title of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and was elected as mayor of Atlanta in 1981. He was an activist in the fight for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr.
#35. Tammy Duckworth
- Positive opinion of this politician: 25%
--- Positive opinion among women: 46% (45th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 54% (104th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 35% (95th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (71st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 33% (54th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 10%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 15%
- People who have heard of this politician: 50%
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who used to represent the state’s 8th district in the House of Representatives, is the first woman in the U.S. Senate to give birth while holding office and the legislature’s first woman with a physical disability. She led the successful push for a Senate rule change that would allow senators to bring babies under age 1 to the Senate floor and breastfeed during votes. She has advocated for comprehensive immigration reform and affordable health care.
#34. Joaquin Castro
- Positive opinion of this politician: 25%
--- Positive opinion among women: 43% (81st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 57% (68th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 34% (96th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (113th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 34% (42nd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 20%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 19%
- People who have heard of this politician: 64%
Joaquin Castro has represented the 20th congressional district of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013. The twin brother of former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro, he has helped provide millions of dollars in funding for education and critical health care programs. He has also proposed legislation related to teen pregnancy, mental health initiatives, and juvenile justice.
#33. Rashida Tlaib
- Positive opinion of this politician: 25%
--- Positive opinion among women: 42% (107th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 58% (42nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 40% (46th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (65th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 29% (96th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 24%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 13%
- People who have heard of this politician: 62%
Rashida Tlaib, a self-described Progressive warrior, was the first Muslim woman to get elected to the Michigan legislature in 2008. She is now a congresswoman who represents Michigan’s 13th congressional district. She has been an advocate for public health and social justice.
#32. Michael Bloomberg
- Positive opinion of this politician: 25%
--- Positive opinion among women: 50% (8th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 50% (141st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 31% (123rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 24% (96th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 35% (37th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 35%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 26%
- People who have heard of this politician: 86%
First elected just weeks after 9/11, businessman Michael Bloomberg served three terms as New York City’s mayor. He led the Big Apple’s resurgence after the terrorist attacks, raised standards in public schools, and helped bring record levels of new jobs into the city.
#31. Dianne Feinstein
- Positive opinion of this politician: 26%
--- Positive opinion among women: 48% (23rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 52% (126th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 28% (135th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (120th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 40% (11th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 28%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 19%
- People who have heard of this politician: 73%
Dianne Feinstein has represented California in the Senate since 1992, after serving as mayor of San Francisco for 10 years, starting in 1978. She has helped pass legislation to boost vehicle fuel efficiency, preserve nature in California, create the AMBER Alert system to help find missing kids, and criminalize drug tunnels at the border.
#30. Andrew Cuomo
- Positive opinion of this politician: 26%
--- Positive opinion among women: 47% (39th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 53% (111th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 27% (142nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 24% (86th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 40% (8th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 29%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 23%
- People who have heard of this politician: 78%
Andrew Cuomo has been the governor of New York since 2011, after serving as the state’s attorney general. He has helped the state flatten the curve of the coronavirus infections during the pandemic, recover after Hurricane Sandy, implement stricter gun control, and legalize medical marijuana.
#29. Amy Klobuchar
- Positive opinion of this politician: 26%
--- Positive opinion among women: 49% (18th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 51% (131st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 30% (130th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (80th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 37% (20th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 22%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 19%
- People who have heard of this politician: 67%
Amy Klobuchar became the first woman to represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate when she began serving in 2007. She also ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primary elections. She has a strong track record of sponsoring bills that were successfully turned into laws during her time in the 114th Congress.
#28. Walter Mondale
- Positive opinion of this politician: 26%
--- Positive opinion among women: 47% (33rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 53% (117th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 24% (148th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 26% (32nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 40% (7th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 19%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 27%
- People who have heard of this politician: 73%
Walter Mondale served as the 42nd vice president of the country under President Jimmy Carter, as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 1993–1996. During his vice presidency, he traveled extensively to promote Carter’s foreign policy and is credited as pioneering the concept of the “activist vice president.”
#27. Julián Castro
- Positive opinion of this politician: 27%
--- Positive opinion among women: 46% (42nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 54% (107th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 33% (108th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (108th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 35% (40th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 24%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 22%
- People who have heard of this politician: 73%
Julián Castro, former mayor of San Antonio, and twin brother of Joaquin Castro, was the secretary of housing and urban development during the second half of President Barack Obama’s presidency. He has helped reduce veteran homelessness, provided greater access to the internet for residents in public housing facilities, and worked to increase the affordability of housing. The only Latino in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, he ended his race in January.
#26. Beto O’Rourke
- Positive opinion of this politician: 28%
--- Positive opinion among women: 49% (16th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 51% (133rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 32% (114th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (121st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 36% (27th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 31%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 19%
- People who have heard of this politician: 79%
Beto O’Rourke represented the 16th congressional district, that includes El Paso, Texas, in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013–2019. He made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in the 2020 Democratic primary election and for Ted Cruz’s U.S. Senate seat in 2018—a run in which he earned the most votes ever cast for a Democrat in the history of Texas.
#25. Joseph P. Kennedy III
- Positive opinion of this politician: 28%
--- Positive opinion among women: 52% (4th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 48% (145th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 27% (141st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (111th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 40% (10th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 17%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 25%
- People who have heard of this politician: 70%
Joseph P. Kennedy III has represented Massachusetts’ 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013. A member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Kennedy has helped provide underserved students with greater access to STEM education; strengthen community health centers; offer more legal services to low-income families; and expand Medicaid coverage.
#24. Al Franken
- Positive opinion of this politician: 29%
--- Positive opinion among women: 44% (63rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 56% (86th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 25% (145th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 24% (88th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 43% (2nd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 27%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 18%
- People who have heard of this politician: 73%
Al Franken represented Minnesota in the U.S. Senate from 2009–2018, then resigned after several people made allegations of sexual misconduct against him. He introduced a provision to the 2010 health care overhaul that forced health insurance companies to devote a minimum of 80% of premiums to medical care, rather than marketing, executive salaries or profits. He also helped reform credit rating agencies after the 2008 financial meltdown.
#23. John Lewis
- Positive opinion of this politician: 29%
--- Positive opinion among women: 43% (83rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 57% (66th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 34% (99th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 24% (100th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 34% (41st most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 11%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 14%
- People who have heard of this politician: 54%
Now in his 17th term, John Lewis has served as the U.S. representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district since 1987. He is a civil rights leader who has advocated for gay rights, universal health insurance, and gun safety laws.
#22. Ilhan Omar
- Positive opinion of this politician: 30%
--- Positive opinion among women: 47% (41st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 53% (108th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 40% (60th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (53rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 29% (101st most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 30%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 12%
- People who have heard of this politician: 72%
Ilhan Omar has represented Minnesota’s 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019, after serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives for two years. She is known for being the first woman to cover her hair with a hijab on the floor of the House. She has pushed for progressive policies, like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.
#21. Adam Schiff
- Positive opinion of this politician: 30%
--- Positive opinion among women: 47% (38th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 53% (110th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 28% (138th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 24% (95th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 42% (3rd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 25%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 15%
- People who have heard of this politician: 70%
Adam Schiff has served 10 terms in Congress, most recently representing California’s 28th congressional district. He chairs the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees various intelligence agencies. His political work has focused on national security, foreign policy, and economic growth.
#20. Charles Schumer
- Positive opinion of this politician: 30%
--- Positive opinion among women: 47% (31st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 53% (118th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 28% (136th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 26% (24th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 36% (23rd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 32%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 18%
- People who have heard of this politician: 80%
Charles “Chuck” Schumer has represented New York in the U.S. Senate since 1998. He makes a point to visit each of his state’s 62 counties every year to maintain a connection with voters. He’s also the first New York senator to lead the Democratic caucus. His work has focused on improving New York’s economy, increasing accessibility of low-cost medicine, and immigration reform.
#19. Pete Buttigieg
- Positive opinion of this politician: 31%
--- Positive opinion among women: 47% (35th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 53% (114th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 32% (116th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (78th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 35% (38th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 26%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 16%
- People who have heard of this politician: 72%
Former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primary election, making him the first publicly-gay person to embark on a major presidential campaign. While he won the delegate count in Iowa’s caucuses, he left the race in March.
#18. Cory Booker
- Positive opinion of this politician: 31%
--- Positive opinion among women: 50% (11th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 50% (138th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 32% (119th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (60th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 35% (35th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 30%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 18%
- People who have heard of this politician: 78%
Cory Booker became the U.S. senator from New Jersey in 2013, after serving as mayor of Newark from 2006–2013. He helped craft sweeping criminal justice reforms through the First Step Act and has promoted economic policies to increase wages and protect domestic jobs.
#17. Andrew Yang
- Positive opinion of this politician: 31%
--- Positive opinion among women: 42% (96th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 58% (53rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 40% (59th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 23% (109th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 29% (104th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 17%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 21%
- People who have heard of this politician: 68%
Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur who made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in the 2020 Democratic primary election. He put his campaign in suspension after the primary in New Hampshire. He had pledged to implement a policy of universal basic income that would have provided every American adult with a $1,000 monthly check.
#16. John Kerry
- Positive opinion of this politician: 32%
--- Positive opinion among women: 48% (29th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 52% (120th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 29% (131st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (47th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 38% (16th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 32%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 22%
- People who have heard of this politician: 86%
John Kerry mounted an unsuccessful bid for president against George W. Bush in the 2004 election. He represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate from 1985–2013. As U.S. secretary of state from 2013–2017, he traveled more miles than any other person in that role in history.
#15. Maxine Waters
- Positive opinion of this politician: 32%
--- Positive opinion among women: 49% (12th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 51% (137th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 33% (112th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (79th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 36% (28th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 29%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 14%
- People who have heard of this politician: 75%
Maxine Waters, a congresswoman who has represented California’s 43rd congressional district for the past 29 years, has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and previous Republican presidents. She’s spoken out against the Iraq War and has spent years focusing on the issues of racial equality, human rights, and international peace.
#14. Kamala Harris
- Positive opinion of this politician: 33%
--- Positive opinion among women: 50% (10th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 50% (139th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 33% (107th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (63rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 35% (39th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 33%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 16%
- People who have heard of this politician: 82%
California Senator Kamala Harris, who’s also the former attorney general of the state, ran an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in the 2020 Democratic primary election. Her policy proposals have focused on increasing workers’ wages, reforming the criminal justice system, providing health care for all Americans, and addressing substance abuse issues.
#13. Gabrielle Giffords
- Positive opinion of this politician: 36%
--- Positive opinion among women: 48% (22nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 52% (127th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 28% (139th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (72nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 40% (6th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 15%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 19%
- People who have heard of this politician: 70%
Gabrielle Giffords served as the representative of Arizona’s 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2006–2012. She survived an assassination attempt at near point-blank range that left her with a severe brain injury in 2011. She’s now a gun control advocate and the namesake of the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
#12. Madeleine Albright
- Positive opinion of this politician: 36%
--- Positive opinion among women: 50% (9th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 50% (140th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 25% (147th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 28% (10th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 39% (12th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 18%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 22%
- People who have heard of this politician: 77%
Madeleine Albright was the first woman to be nominated as secretary of state, a position she held from 1997–2001, and is now the chairwoman of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. Her achievements include expanding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization eastward into former Soviet nations, pressing for military intervention during Kosovo’s humanitarian crisis in 1999, and promoting free-market democratization in developing countries.
#11. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- Positive opinion of this politician: 37%
--- Positive opinion among women: 46% (47th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 54% (102nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 36% (85th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 27% (15th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 29% (99th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 32%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 12%
- People who have heard of this politician: 81%
Nicknamed AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman to serve the U.S. Congress at 29 when she was elected representative of New York’s 14th congressional district in 2018. She’s a progressive activist who has pushed for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, an end to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, free higher education, and tax increases on the ultra-wealthy.
#10. Elijah Cummings
- Positive opinion of this politician: 37%
--- Positive opinion among women: 46% (48th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 54% (101st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 26% (143rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (66th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 41% (4th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 22%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 14%
- People who have heard of this politician: 72%
The late Elijah Cummings represented Maryland’s 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1996-2019. Throughout his political career, he advocated for reducing the price of prescription drugs, fighting substance abuse issues, increasing gun control legislation, and introducing reforms to the criminal justice system. He also helped lead the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.
#9. Hillary Clinton
- Positive opinion of this politician: 37%
--- Positive opinion among women: 55% (1st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 45% (148th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 33% (110th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 26% (38th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 34% (48th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 47%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 14%
- People who have heard of this politician: 98%
Hillary Clinton began her career in politics in 1993 as first lady of the United States—a position that she used to push for health care reform. She went on to represent New York in the Senate from 2001–2009 before serving as U.S. secretary of state for four years until 2013. Her political accomplishments include ensuring that 9/11 first responders receive health benefits, championing the Violence Against Women Act, and drafting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, among others. In 2016, Clinton became the first woman to win the Democratic party’s nomination for president, and though she lost to her opponent Donald Trump in the Electoral College, she earned 66 million popular votes and the plurality in the election.
#8. Al Gore
- Positive opinion of this politician: 37%
--- Positive opinion among women: 47% (37th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 53% (112th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 33% (111th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 28% (4th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 32% (61st most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 31%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 23%
- People who have heard of this politician: 92%
Al Gore served as the American vice president under President Bill Clinton from 1993–2001, after representing Tennessee in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. He ran for president unsuccessfully against George W. Bush during the controversial 2000 election. A Nobel Peace Prize winner, Gore is a staunch environmentalist who has worked to increase awareness of climate change.
#7. Nancy Pelosi
- Positive opinion of this politician: 38%
--- Positive opinion among women: 51% (7th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 49% (142nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 29% (132nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 26% (31st most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 37% (19th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 42%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 15%
- People who have heard of this politician: 94%
Nancy Pelosi was the first woman to be elected as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, a position she held from 2007–2011, then regained in 2019. She is the congresswoman for the 12th congressional district of California. She has spent her political career fighting to reduce the cost of health care, increase wages for workers, and clean up corruption.
#6. Elizabeth Warren
- Positive opinion of this politician: 39%
--- Positive opinion among women: 49% (15th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 51% (134th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 33% (109th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 26% (37th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 34% (47th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 35%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 16%
- People who have heard of this politician: 90%
Elizabeth Warren has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 2013 and was a candidate for president in the 2020 Democratic primary election. She has pushed for stricter banking regulations and launched the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2010. A progressive, Warren has been an advocate for reducing student loan debt, free college tuition, higher taxes on large corporations, improved regulation of big tech companies, and workers’ rights.
#5. Joe Biden
- Positive opinion of this politician: 40%
--- Positive opinion among women: 53% (3rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 47% (146th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 30% (129th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 27% (16th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 36% (31st most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 38%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 18%
- People who have heard of this politician: 96%
Joe Biden was the vice president to President Barack Obama from 2009–2017 and is now expected to be the Democratic nominee in the 2020 presidential election. He has run for president three times, chaired the foreign relations committee, and spent 36 years as a senator. He has worked to provide greater access to affordable health care.
#4. Bill Clinton
- Positive opinion of this politician: 42%
--- Positive opinion among women: 49% (13th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 51% (136th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 30% (124th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 28% (8th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 36% (30th most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 37%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 18%
- People who have heard of this politician: 98%
Bill Clinton served two terms as U.S. president and two terms as the governor of Arkansas. During his presidency from 1993–2001, he ushered in the North American Free Trade Agreement, passed welfare reform, had the military intervene in the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo, and had a record-high approval rating when he left office.
#3. Bernie Sanders
- Positive opinion of this politician: 44%
--- Positive opinion among women: 51% (6th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 49% (143rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 40% (57th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 25% (73rd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 29% (91st most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 37%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 15%
- People who have heard of this politician: 96%
Bernie Sanders has run for president twice, served as the senator from Vermont since 2007, and was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991–2007. He has pushed for more regulation of Wall Street, an end to tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, and increased spending on social welfare programs. He has also sponsored policy proposals regarding climate change and veterans’ affairs.
#2. Barack Obama
- Positive opinion of this politician: 56%
--- Positive opinion among women: 53% (2nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 47% (147th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 37% (76th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 26% (42nd most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 30% (82nd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 32%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 10%
- People who have heard of this politician: 98%
Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama was the first African American to become U.S. president, a role he held for two terms. He was also the U.S. senator from Illinois for three years until 2008. He’s known for signing into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. He helped end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to allow gay members of the military to be open about their sexual orientation.
#1. Jimmy Carter
- Positive opinion of this politician: 56%
--- Positive opinion among women: 52% (5th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among men: 48% (144th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Millennials: 28% (137th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Generation X: 28% (5th most popular Democrat)
--- Positive opinion among Baby Boomers: 37% (22nd most popular Democrat)
- Negative opinion of this politician: 17%
- Neutral opinion of this politician: 20%
- People who have heard of this politician: 92%
Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter was the 39th U.S. president from 1977–1981 after serving four years as the governor of Georgia. He is known for his work increasing jobs in the U.S., mediating international conflicts, observing fair democratic elections around the world, and championing human rights.
