Unemployment Rates in Red States Fall to Record Lows

June 17, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released state unemployment data for the month of May revealing that red states continue to hold their rank as the states with the lowest unemployment rates. States led by Republican governors reach new record lows as more people get back to work than ever before in many states’ history.

12 of the top 15 states with the lowest unemployment rates in May were all led by Republican governors including:

  • Nebraska
  • Utah
  • New Hampshire
  • Indiana
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • Montana
  • Idaho
  • North Dakota
  • Alabama
  • Iowa
  • Oklahoma

10 of the 15 states with the highest unemployment rates in May were led by Democrat governors including:

  • New Mexico
  • Nevada
  • Pennsylvania
  • Illinois
  • Delaware
  • New York
  • Michigan
  • California
  • Hawaii
  • Connecticut

More than three times as many GOP-led states (22) are below the national average for unemployment than Democrat-led states (7).

“As Americans in blue states struggle to afford life under Democrat control, it is no surprise that more voters put their trust in Republicans to handle the economy,” said RGA Communications Director Jesse Hunt. “While Joe Biden’s and Democrat governors’ policies prove to do nothing more than stifle the economy, increase costs at the pump and on the shelves, and fail to offer real relief, Republican governors help their states achieve record growth and continue to cut costs and taxes.”