It seems like the public’s interest in politics has grown by leaps and bounds over the last 10 years. Now, many people pick sides and become big fans of politicians that they think have their best interests at heart. Republican figures like Donald Trump and Vivek Ramaswamy have younger people tuning in and favoring specific politicians. We’ll tell you what they think with this list of the most popular Republicans among millennials. For a frame of reference, millennials are considered those who were born between 1981 and 1996.
Keep in mind that this list is not based on our opinion. Instead, to create this list of the most popular Republicans among millennials, 24/7 Tempo consulted the results compiled by the website YouGov. They spoke to millennials in the general public and asked them if they had a favorable opinion of certain Republicans. This list is based on each politician’s popularity. In other words, the ranking is based on the percentage of people who have a positive opinion of them.
The Republicans on this list come from a variety of positions and backgrounds. There are a couple of former presidents on this list who were in office during the lives of millennials. There are also a great number of senators and members of the House of Representatives on this list. Many of these Republicans you hear about all the time, including Donald Trump, George W. Bush, and Nikki Haley. However, there are also some more obscure Republicans that not everyone knows, including John Cornyn, Olympia Snowe, and Steve King.
Read on and you may see someone you like on this list. Also, if you’re a younger person in the millennial demographic, you may also enjoy this list of the most popular all-time music artists among millennials.
25. Kevin McCarthy
- Popularity: 42%
- Known for: Former speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Even though McCarthy is no longer the speaker of the House, many millennials enjoyed his short tenure and continue to root for his success. They see him as a well-spoken and smart guy. Many Republicans in California’s 20th Congressional District also enjoyed his work as their U.S. representative.
24. Lindsay Graham
- Popularity: 42%
- Known for: Senator from South Carolina
Graham is on this list because he has been a long-seated senator in South Carolina since 2003. People see him as one of the heroes of the current Republican party and many depend on him to do what’s right when many others may not.
23. Scott Walker
- Popularity: 42%
- Known for: Former governor of Wisconsin
Walker is popular in America, but more specifically in Wisconsin, where he was the governor from 2011 to 2019. Republicans there generally liked his politics, so he’s still on this popularity list. Many millennials hope that he’ll run for office again.
22. Greg Abbott
- Popularity: 42%
- Known for: Governor of Texas
Many people in Texas, including the millennials, enjoy having Abbott as their leader. The people who agree with his politics feel like he has their best interest at heart and that he never fails to speak up for them. Many also consider him to be a polished public speaker.
21. John Cornyn
- Popularity: 42%
- Known for: Senator from Texas
Cornyn is on this list for many of the same reasons as Abbott. The people who enjoy his politics feel like Cornyn represents their feelings and what’s important in the lives of Texans today and going forward.
20. Chris Christie
- Popularity: 43%
- Known for: Former governor of New Jersey
Millennials who have lived in New Jersey for most of their lives have seen a lot of Christie, which is likely why he’s on the list. He was the governor from 2010 to 2018. Before that, he was the United States attorney for New Jersey. He’s also run for president more than once and he’s always worth a good soundbite.
19. Allen West
- Popularity: 43%
- Known for: Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Many millennials likely see West as an influential figure, especially for Republicans living in Florida. He was the representative there from 2011 to 2013 and later served as the chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. Even though he’s not as involved in office, people still root for him.
18. Rand Paul
- Popularity: 43%
- Known for: Junior senator from Kentucky
Paul has been a senator in Kentucky since 2011. He’s one of the most popular Republicans among millennials and older Republicans alike because of his ideas about saving money in the government and his desire to reduce the national debt. He has also run for president and had a fairly good showing even though he never secured the nomination.
17. Nikki Haley
- Popularity: 43%
- Known for: Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations
Haley is a rising star in the Republican party. Even before she ran for president this year, she was the ambassador to the United Nations and the former governor of South Carolina. Many millennials likely see her as an inspiration, and there was excitement when she gained steam when running for president in 2024.
16. Ben Carson
- Popularity: 43%
- Known for: Former U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development
In addition to working with the Trump administration, Carson is a retired neurosurgeon, so he’s influential to many people. He’s also been on TV a lot lately and people remember someone they see on the screen.
15. Jeb Bush
- Popularity: 44%
- Known for: Former governor of Florida
Before Ron DeSantis, another beloved Republican was the governor of Florida. It was Jeb Bush who had the job and he was pretty outspoken, so many older millennials likely remember him from that. He’s also run for president in the past, so he has his supporters. Plus his relation to President George W. Bush doesn’t hurt.
14. Lisa Murkowski
- Popularity: 44%
- Known for: Senator from Alaska
While not the most famous politician on this list, millennial Republicans in Alaska are likely a fan of Murkowski since she’s held the position of senator since 2002. She’s also the first-ever female Alaskan senator, so she’s respected and an inspiration for many young women for that reason as well.
13. Tom Cotton
- Popularity: 44%
- Known for: Junior senator from Arkansas
Harvard-educated Cotton is popular among millennials in Arkansas because he served there as a member of the House of Representatives and is now a senator. He’s also a former military officer, so people respect him for his service and dedication to the country.
12. Carly Fiorina
- Popularity: 44%
- Known for: Former CEO and politician
As a strong woman, Carly Fiorina has many reasons for millennials to look up to her. From 1999 to 2005, she was the CEO of the computer company Hewlett-Packard. She hasn’t held political office, but she has shown interest in running because she believes that we need more non-politicians in politics. She’s also frequently seen on cable news shows.
11. Richard Lugar
- Popularity: 45%
- Known for: Former senator from Indiana
Though Lugar passed away in 2019, he’s still well-remembered and is considered one of the most popular Republicans among millennials. He’s mostly loved and remembered fondly in Indiana, where he served as a senator from 1977 to 2013.
10. Jason Chaffetz
- Popularity: 45%
- Known for: Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Republicans in Utah likely remember Chaffetz fondly as he served as a representative in their third district from 2009 to 2017. He’s also a frequent contributor on Fox News so many people recognize him from that and people who like his politics like what he has to say.
9. Donald Rumsfeld
- Popularity: 45%
- Known for: Former U.S. secretary of defense
Rumsfeld served as the secretary of defense from 1975 to 1977 and then again from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. He is noteworthy for being in office during the 9/11 terrorist attack, and he’s respected for the help he provided to the president under difficult circumstances.
8. Sarah Palin
- Popularity: 45%
- Known for: Former governor of Alaska
Palin is likely on this list because she made quite a name for herself when running for vice president in 2008 with John McCain. She’s also loved by Republicans in Alaska, where she was governor. She’s an outspoken character, so people remember her.
7. Olympia Snowe
- Popularity: 45%
- Known for: Former senator from Maine
Though not a household name on the national stage, Snowe is remembered fondly for her time as a senator. She was very influential during her time in office and even brought home the Glamour Woman of the Year Award.
6. Donald Trump
- Popularity: 45%
- Known for: Former president of the United States
Trump took the world by surprise when he won the vote in 2016 and ran the country for four years. He is running for president again, and the people who enjoy his politics are very much excited for him to give it another try. That goes for many millennials and older Americans alike.
5. Tim Scott
- Popularity: 46%
- Known for: Junior senator from South Carolina
The Republican millennials in South Carolina have likely enjoyed Scott’s politics for years as he’s been the senator there since 2013. He’s also gained notoriety by running for president during the 2024 national election. He’s even a contender to be vice president.
4. Marco Rubio
- Popularity: 46%
- Known for: Senior senator from Florida
Republicans in Florida have been enjoying Rubio’s politics in the state since he became the senator in 2011. At 52, Rubio is still relatively young in the politics game, so many young people in the party think he has some fresh ideas. He’s also popular among the Hispanic community.
3. Steve King
- Popularity: 49%
- Known for: Former U.S. representative from Iowa
Many millennials enjoy the politics of King, especially those who hail from Iowa, where he was a longtime representative from 2003 to 2021. In addition to that, King has also written several books that many Republican readers likely enjoy and he’s a frequent contributor on cable news.
2. George W. Bush
- Popularity: 50%
- Known for: Former president of the United States
Bush is likely one of the two Republican presidents that millennials remember during their lifetime, and many have a positive opinion of him. Many are especially proud of how he was able to rally Americans together after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was in office for two terms.
1. Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Popularity: 60%
- Known for: Actor and former governor of California
Finally on our list of the most popular Republicans among millennials is the larger-than-life Schwarzenegger. Many millennials remember when he was governor of California but he’s likely on top of this list because of his work as an actor and the many famous films in which he’s played a beloved tough guy. (That’s why characters he’s played during his career are on this list of the most legendary wise guys and tough guys in movies.)