List of 7 Most Popular U.S. Governors in 2026, Check Their Rankings!

The United States has 50 state governors, who each serve as the chief executive of their state government. They are responsible for overseeing things like laws, budgets, and public services. 

But some governors are more popular than others, based on approval ratings, rankings and voter trust from official and reputable polling organisations like Morning Consult, which surveys registered voters across all states.

What is a U.S. Governor?

In the U.S., a governor is someone who is the highest elected official in a state. He is similar to a prime minister in a country, but for individual states. 

Their key role is to enforce laws, manage state budgets, and act as a liaison to the U.S. federal government. Moreover, U.S. Governors can shape policy on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and more. This makes their popularity a key measure of their influence and effectiveness in different U.S. states. 

Who Are the 7 Most Popular U.S. Governors?

According to the most recent Morning Consult approval ratings of governors (as of 2024‑25), these leaders consistently appear among the most popular in the nation based on voter approval within their own states.

Source: Stateside Associates Governors Roster

1. Phil Scott 

Phil Scott, a Republican, has held the governorship of Vermont since 2017 and regularly tops popularity rankings nationwide. He maintained high approval ratings (around 75%) thanks to broadly supported policies and bipartisan appeal.

2. John Carney 

John Carney, the Democratic governor of Delaware, has also ranked high in approval polls, often near the top 10 nationally. His focus on education and healthcare has earned widespread support.

3. Spencer Cox 

Utah’s Republican governor Spencer Cox frequently places near the top in popularity polls, reflecting steady support from residents across his state in surveys.

Check Out: List of Executive Agencies of the U.S. Federal Government 

4. Wes Moore 

Wes Moore, Maryland’s governor, has built a strong reputation since taking office, with approval ratings in the 60% range in national tracking data.

5. Andy Beshear 

Andy Beshear, the Democratic governor of Kentucky, is one of the most approved‑of governors in the traditionally conservative state, consistently scoring favourably in polls.

6. Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem, a Republican leader in South Dakota, has maintained solid popularity, often in the mid‑60% range according to national surveys.

7. Josh Green 

Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, attracts positive ratings both for his handling of local issues and his approachable leadership style, earning him a spot among popular governors.

Therefore, these seven leaders represent a cross‑section of popular gubernatorial leadership styles and political backgrounds. 

They also show that both Republicans and Democrats can achieve high approval when their policies align with voter priorities.

Trivia

• Governor's popularity is more than just a number, as it reflects how well leaders connect with residents and deliver on issues like jobs, education and healthcare. 

• High approval can help governors push through ambitious reforms and win re‑election, while lower ratings can put leaders on the defensive during elections.

Check Out: What are the Two Political Parties in the USA? 

Moreover, some governors’ popularity has national implications. Some U.S. presidents, including Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren and Franklin D. Roosevelt, rose to the presidency after serving as governors. Therefore, it also shows how state success can launch national careers.