Josh Hawley has served in the U.S. Senate since 2019, after a fast rise through Republican politics that included a term as Missouri’s Attorney General. He pitches himself as a nationalist-populist: tough on immigration, skeptical of globalization, and loudly anti–“woke capital.”
His brand is culture war + economic protectionism. He attacks Big Tech on censorship and data harvesting, slams offshoring, and says working-class Americans are getting sold out by “managerial elites” in both parties.
He’s also dug in on border security, trade restrictions meant to protect U.S. industry, and a louder, more confrontational style of conservatism that leans into grievance politics.
Right-Wing Populist
Achievements
- High-profile face of GOP attempts to rein in Big Tech on antitrust, data, and speech
- Vocal advocate of “America First” trade and tighter border enforcement
- Backed legislation framed as pro–law enforcement and pro–veterans’ services
Controversies
- Condemned (even by some Republicans) for objecting to certification of the 2020 presidential election results
- Seen as polarizing and opportunistic, using populist rhetoric to elevate his national profile
- Faced donor backlash and corporate PAC freezes after his stance on 2020/Jan. 6 fallout
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Conservatives Fund | $251,003 | $236,003 | $15,000 |
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $119,205 | $109,205 | $10,000 |
| Diamond Pet Foods | $48,400 | $48,400 | $0 |
| Durham Co | $44,460 | $44,460 | $0 |
| Edward Jones | $38,735 | $35,235 | $3,500 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2018 Margin R +5.8%
2024 Margin R +13.7%