Progressive Lawmakers Surge in Search Interest as Political Tensions Escalate

By Michael Katz | Friday, 19 December 2025 09:13 PM EST

Google Trends data revealed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) emerged as the most visible figures within the Democratic Party among members of Congress this year, according to Axios.

The two progressive lawmakers spent much of 2025 protesting the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Congress.

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez traveled across the country together on their Fighting Oligarchy Tour.

Both lawmakers achieved a peak Google Trends score of 100, the maximum level of interest.

Sanders was followed by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) at 75.8; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) at 67.4; Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) at 46.0; Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) at 45.3; and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) at 39.3.

Booker’s search volume surged following his historic 25-hour-and-5-minute Senate floor speech, the longest in U.S. Senate history.

Schumer’s search interest peaked ahead of government shutdown deadlines in March and September, critical moments for his leadership.

Ocasio-Cortez, who has been discussed as a potential challenger for Schumer’s Senate seat in 2028, was followed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at 65.1; Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) at 58.7; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) at 58.6; and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) at 47.3.

Crockett’s inflammatory comments about Elon Musk, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and FBI Director Kash Patel, along with her decision to run for Senate in 2026, made her the third most-searched House member.

Greene also drew national attention for her public feud with President Donald Trump over Israel’s war in Gaza against Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists and her announcement that she would not seek reelection.