POLL: Sen. Gallego Posts 52% Approval in First Year — Strong Start in Freshman Senate Term

Sen. Gallego Posts 52% Approval in First Year — Strong Start in Freshman Senate Term

Arizona's Newest Senator Earns Positive Reviews; Leads Among Independents and Moderate Republicans

PHOENIX (August 7th, 2025) – Arizona's newly elected U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego has established a strong early approval rating of 52%, according to the latest AZPOP survey from OH Predictive Insights. Thirty-four percent of Arizona registered voters disapprove of his job performance, while 14% — a notably high share reflective of his newness to the Senate stage — have no opinion. The 52% approval is the highest first-year Senate approval rating recorded by AZPOP since the survey began tracking Senate members in 2016.

Gallego's approval coalition is notably diverse. Democrats are enthusiastically supportive at 86%, but his 47% approval among Independent voters — with only 32% disapproval and 21% no opinion — represents an unusually strong position for a first-year Democratic senator in a purple state. Even among Republicans, Gallego earns a 22% approval rating, reflecting the segment of GOP voters who supported him in 2024 and continue to give him positive marks.

The senator's first eight months in office have been marked by active constituent engagement — he has hosted more town halls in his first year than any Arizona senator since Mark Udall — and a focus on veterans' issues, water policy, and border security that has resonated across partisan lines.

"Gallego has been visible and accessible in a way that voters appreciate," says OHPI Chief of Research Mike Noble. "His bipartisan approval number reflects the fact that he's not governing as a hard-left ideologue. He's trying to find ground on issues like border policy and veterans care where Arizona voters of all stripes can agree."

Gallego receives his highest issue-area ratings on veterans affairs (62% approve), water policy (58% approve), and healthcare (54% approve). His lowest ratings come on immigration enforcement (38% approve), reflecting the difficult balance of representing a border state while maintaining Democratic Party positions.

The senator's favorability ratings are equally strong: 51% view him favorably, 31% unfavorably — a net +20, compared to former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's net favorability of +8 at this point in her first term and former Sen. Jeff Flake's +3 at the equivalent stage.

"These are very encouraging first-year numbers for Gallego," says OHPI Data Analyst Jacob Joss. "The comparison to Sinema and Flake at equivalent points in their careers shows he's off to a better start than both of them."

With re-election not until 2030, Gallego has time to build his constituency. However, AZPOP tracking will continue to monitor his standing as national political dynamics evolve and Arizona's competitive landscape is further defined by the 2026 elections.

Methodology: AZPOP conducted August 2–4, 2025. Blended 47% Live Caller / 53% IVR. Arizona Registered Voters. n=600 with ±4.0% MOE. Weighted for gender, region, age, party, ethnicity, education.

Media Contacts:
Mike Noble, OH Predictive Insights, [email protected], (480) 313-1837
Jacob Joss, OH Predictive Insights, [email protected], (602) 687-3034