Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer finds himself in troubled waters. A recent Gallup poll reveals that he will end 2025 with the distinction of being Washington, D.C.’s least popular major politician, landing at a dismal 28 percent approval rating. In comparison, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune enjoys a relatively respectable 34 percent, while other notable figures like President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have approval ratings of 36 and 39 percent, respectively. Remarkably, even amidst fictional scandals, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. manages to rate higher at 39 percent.
The context is grim for Schumer. His lack of support spans across every political group. The poll indicates that a mere 39 percent of Democrats approve of his performance. This figure is a significant drop from two years ago, when a commanding 76 percent of Democrats expressed approval. The trajectory of his approval rating is alarming, with only 16 percent of Republicans and 30 percent of independents holding a favorable view of him. Schumer’s decline mirrors the struggles of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who, despite facing criticism, still maintains a 44 percent approval rating.
The implications of the poll results extend beyond mere numbers. The New York Post emphasizes that Schumer has reached his lowest approval rating in over two decades, signaling a waning connection with the electorate in his home state. New Yorkers, typically supportive of their Democratic leaders, show a troubling shift, with a majority now viewing Schumer unfavorably.
Schumer’s recent political maneuvers have done little to bolster his standing. After publicly steering the party through a government shutdown that yielded minimal gains, many perceive him as ineffective. Critics point to this as a defining moment where his leadership has faltered. The shutdown fiasco, characterized by extensive negotiations yet little progress, has contributed to perceptions of Schumer’s impotence in a rapidly changing political landscape increasingly favoring younger leaders.
Even more troubling for Schumer is his apparent disconnect from the rising stars within the Democratic Party. The reluctance to support New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has raised eyebrows and led Democratic figures like Rep. Ro Khanna to call for his replacement. Khanna has voiced concerns about Schumer’s ability to lead the charge on critical issues such as healthcare costs. The distance between Schumer and the party’s newer members may further alienate him from a base that is eager for fresh leadership.
Schumer’s future is now in question, particularly with the looming 2028 election. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has consistently emerged as a frontrunner in hypothetical primary matchups, remains a formidable competitor. While there is speculation about her own ambitions, potential challengers are circulating among the Democratic ranks—individuals hopeful for a future beyond Schumer’s prolonged tenure.
As Schumer enters his ninth year as the leader of the Democratic caucus in the Senate, the clock appears to be ticking. The clouds of vulnerability are thickening. All the public performances and media appearances in the world cannot mask the stark reality: Schumer’s popularity is deflating, and his influence appears precarious. Although he indicates a resolve to fight for his position, the race for party leadership—and recognition of political effectiveness—remains as competitive as ever.
In this high-stakes environment, Schumer clings to a fast-diminishing authority. As the least-popular major political figure by a considerable margin, the message is clear. Time may well be telling him to reconsider his role in the spotlight and perhaps even contemplate retirement.
"*" indicates required fields
