Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

A U.S. Senator represents the people of their state. This role is fundamental to the Senate's function within the legislative process, as Senators are directly elected by the citizens of their respective states. Their primary responsibility is to advocate for the interests and needs of their constituents, which includes addressing local issues, supporting state-specific projects, and ensuring that the voices of their state's residents are heard in the federal government.

The Senate was designed to represent the states at the federal level, but since the 17th Amendment was ratified in 1913, Senators have been elected by popular vote, solidifying their role as direct representatives of the people rather than merely representatives of state governments or political parties. This structure ensures that the concerns and preferences of the constituents influence federal policy and legislation.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately encapsulate the Senator's responsibilities—only representing the state's government would imply a focus on state authority rather than the citizens; representing all U.S. citizens ignores the specific constituency focus of Senators; and solely representing a political party would neglect their broader duty to their state's populace.