A Semafor‑shared poll finds many Missouri voters support Sen. Josh Hawley’s working‑class, populist positions: 55% favor extending expiring ACA tax credits, 63% back raising the minimum wage, and about 75% expect AI to cost U.S. jobs. The survey also shows 69% back quicker union contract negotiations, and Hawley holds a 51% approval rating after his 2024 reelection. The results suggest his stances, though atypical for some in the GOP, align with Missouri voters’ priorities.
Poll Finds Hawley’s Populist, Working‑Class Agenda Resonates With Missouri Voters
Chart showing results on OnMessage poll of Missouri voters
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley’s mix of populist, working‑class positions — backing a higher minimum wage, urging extension of expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, and expressing caution about artificial intelligence — is broadly popular among voters in his state, according to new polling shared with Semafor.
Key Findings From The Poll
The survey of likely Missouri voters found that 55% favor extending the expiring ACA tax credits and 63% support raising the minimum wage. Roughly three‑quarters of respondents said they expect AI to cost U.S. jobs, and many backed restrictions such as banning AI chatbots for children. Another 69% supported speeding up union contract negotiations, and a large share also favored Hawley’s proposal to reduce taxes on health‑care expenses.
“Those are working‑class positions, so it just reflects a slice of their life. My job is to give voice to that,” Hawley told Semafor.
The poll suggests these stances have not hurt Hawley politically at home: he was reelected in 2024 and holds a 51% approval rating in Missouri versus 41% who disapprove.
Political Context
Hawley’s positions sometimes put him at odds with other national Republican leaders, but the poll reinforces a broader point in American politics: senators can remain popular if their views align with their state’s electorate. The article notes a similar dynamic helps explain Sen. Rand Paul’s continued standing in Kentucky.
Hawley has argued that Congress should pursue more of the agenda he shares with former President Donald Trump, even if that requires unconventional, bipartisan alliances. He says he is not seeking provocation but is responding to what his constituents want.
Takeaway: In conservative, working‑class Missouri, Hawley’s blend of populist economic measures and skepticism of new technologies resonates with a substantial portion of voters, bolstering his standing despite occasional friction with national party leaders.
