Politics is a brutal business. One day you’re the hometown hero cutting ribbons at a new stadium, and the next, you’re the person everyone blames for the pothole on Main Street. Honestly, being a governor is probably one of the toughest gigs in America right now because the buck literally stops at your desk. When we look at the least popular governors 2024 data, it’s not just a list of names; it’s a map of where people are feeling the most frustrated with their local government.
Morning Consult, which basically does the gold-standard polling for this stuff, released some pretty eye-opening numbers throughout the year. While some governors like Vermont’s Phil Scott seem to be loved by everyone, others are struggling just to keep their heads above water. It’s not always about party lines either. You’ve got deep-red states and deep-blue states both housing some of the most unpopular leaders in the country.
The Governor Facing the Steepest Hill
If you’re looking for the person at the very bottom of the list, Kim Reynolds of Iowa has had a rough go of it lately. For a while there, she was actually the only governor in the entire United States with a net negative approval rating. That’s a tough spot to be in. In the July 2024 data, she was sitting with a disapproval rating near 49%.
Why are Iowans so fed up? It’s a mix of things. There’s been a lot of heat over her school voucher program, which basically diverted public money to private schools. People in rural areas, where the public school is the heart of the community, didn't exactly jump for joy over that. Then you have the whole eminent domain drama involving carbon pipelines. When you start talking about taking land from farmers for corporate projects, you’re gonna lose friends fast in the Midwest.
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The Struggles in the Northeast and Beyond
It’s not just Iowa, though. Rhode Island’s Dan McKee has been hovering in the danger zone for a long time. Honestly, his numbers have been consistently low, often ranking him as one of the least popular governors in the country. He’s had to deal with the fallout of the Washington Bridge closure, which turned commutes into a nightmare and became a massive symbol of infrastructure failure. When people are stuck in traffic for two hours because a bridge is falling apart, they don’t care about your political platform—they just want the bridge fixed.
Then you have Kathy Hochul in New York. Being the Governor of New York is a bit like being the manager of the Yankees; half the people are going to boo you no matter what you do. Her approval ratings have taken a hit over concerns about crime in New York City and the ongoing migrant crisis. It’s a heavy lift, and the polls reflect that "voter fatigue" that sets in when big problems don't have easy solutions.
A Quick Look at the Bottom Tier
To give you an idea of who else is struggling, here’s a breakdown of some of the governors who found themselves in the bottom ten during 2024:
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- Dan McKee (Rhode Island): Consistently low, often dipping into the 30s or low 40s for approval.
- Kim Reynolds (Iowa): Held the title of "most unpopular" for several quarters with high disapproval.
- Kathy Hochul (New York): Struggling with a divided electorate and massive urban-rural splits.
- Janet Mills (Maine): Has seen her disapproval numbers climb, hitting around 45% in some 2024-2025 cycles.
- Tina Kotek (Oregon): Facing the typical "big city" problems that weigh down West Coast governors.
Why Do Governors Lose Their Spark?
It’s rarely one single thing. Usually, it’s a "death by a thousand cuts" situation. For some, like Mississippi’s Tate Reeves, it’s been long-standing controversies over state spending and healthcare. In other states, it’s purely economic. If the cost of living is skyrocketing and the governor is seen as focusing on "culture war" issues instead of the price of eggs, voters get grumpy.
You also have to look at the "incumbency curse." After a few years in office, everyone has a reason to be mad at you. You’ve made enough decisions that you’ve inevitably ticked off every demographic at least once.
The Infrastructure Trap
Infrastructure is a massive "approval killer." If a road is smooth, nobody thanks the governor. If a bridge closes or the power grid fails, the governor is the first person people point at. Just ask the leaders in the Northeast who have dealt with crumbling 100-year-old bridges. It’s a no-win scenario.
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Policy Polarisation
In 2024, we saw a lot of governors leaning hard into partisan issues to shore up their base. The problem? It often alienates the moderates. When Kim Reynolds pushed through the private school vouchers, she solidified her support with one group but created a massive wave of disapproval with others. It’s a risky game of "base-only" politics that often lands you on the least popular governors 2024 list.
What This Means for the 2026 Elections
Looking ahead, these numbers are more than just trivia. They are early warning sirens for the 2026 midterm cycle. Governors like Dan McKee, who is up for reelection in 2026, have a massive mountain to climb to win back public trust. On the other hand, Kim Reynolds already announced she won't be running again, which sort of takes the pressure off her but leaves a big question mark for the GOP in Iowa.
When a governor's approval rating stays below 45% for more than a year, they are officially in the "danger zone." It becomes much harder to pass legislation because even members of their own party start to distance themselves to avoid getting "dragged down" by the unpopular leader.
Actionable Steps for Voters
If you’re living in a state with an unpopular governor, or if you’re just a political junkie trying to stay ahead of the curve, here’s what you should actually be doing:
- Check the "Net" Approval: Don't just look at the approval rating. Look at the "Net." A governor with 45% approval and 40% disapproval is in way better shape than one with 45% approval and 52% disapproval.
- Follow the Money: Watch where the state budget is going. Often, a dip in popularity follows a major shift in how public funds are being used (like the school vouchers in Iowa).
- Local Primary Watching: Unpopular governors often face "primary from the right" or "primary from the left" challenges. Keep an eye on the 2026 primary filings; that's where the real drama starts.
- Engage with Local Infrastructure Reports: If infrastructure is the issue (like in RI or NY), look at the state's Department of Transportation long-term plans. It tells you if the "fix" is actually coming or if it's just talk.
Understanding why these leaders are struggling helps us see the bigger picture of where the country is headed. It’s not just about "liking" a politician; it’s about whether the person in charge is actually solving the problems that keep you up at night.