Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Only one Senate candidate has gotten more popular recently — Greg Orman

Greg Orman with Kansas City Mayor Sly James
Greg Orman with Kansas City Mayor Sly James
Greg Orman with Kansas City Mayor Sly James
Fernando Leon / Getty Images Entertainment
Andrew Prokop
Andrew Prokop is a senior politics correspondent at Vox, covering the White House, elections, and political scandals and investigations. He’s worked at Vox since the site’s launch in 2014, and before that, he worked as a research assistant at the New Yorker’s Washington, DC, bureau.

As negative ads have started to fill the airwaves in states with competitive Senate races, it’s quite natural for voters to start increasingly disliking every candidate. A new series of polls from YouGov, the New York Times, and CBS News confirms that this is exactly what’s happening across the nation — with one notable exception:

Senate candidate impressions

Yes, Kansas independent Senate candidate Greg Orman is the sole candidate who’s actually risen in the estimate of his state’s voters in recent weeks. And that’s happened despite new negative advertising targeted at him. (Note, though, that the results above are just about voters’ impressions of each candidate, not about who they’ll actually vote for.)

My colleague Dylan Matthews argued recently that Orman is the most cynical politician running this year, since he refuses to commit to caucus with either party. But if these polls are anything to go by, Kansans don't seem to mind. Head over to the Upshot to read more on these poll results from Nate Cohn.

More in Congress

America, Actually
The progressive plan to reclaim the working classThe progressive plan to reclaim the working class
Podcast
America, Actually

Progressive caucus chair Rep. Greg Casar on his movement’s new playbook.

By Astead Herndon
Podcasts
The 1980s sex scandal that explains TMZ’s move to DCThe 1980s sex scandal that explains TMZ’s move to DC
Podcast
Podcasts

How a senator’s downfall paved the way for Donald Trump.

By Kelli Wessinger and Noel King
Politics
The redistricting wars are almost over. Here’s the score.The redistricting wars are almost over. Here’s the score.
Politics

Trump’s gerrymandering efforts are backfiring.

By Christian Paz
America, Actually
Rubén Gallego on why he defended Eric Swalwell — and why he regrets it nowRubén Gallego on why he defended Eric Swalwell — and why he regrets it now
America, Actually

An interview with the senator Swalwell called his “best friend.”

By Astead Herndon
Today, Explained newsletter
Eric Swalwell’s downfall, explainedEric Swalwell’s downfall, explained
Today, Explained newsletter

The accusations that forced out the frontrunner in California’s governor race — and could push him from Congress next.

By Benjy Sarlin
Podcasts
How one Democratic senator is tackling Trump’s corruptionHow one Democratic senator is tackling Trump’s corruption
Podcast
Podcasts

Sen. Chris Murphy explains how blatant corruption is undermining faith in democracy.

By Astead Herndon