SAEDNEWS: A new nationwide NBC News poll shows Democrats holding a significant advantage in the race for control of Congress ahead of the midterm elections. Voters are increasingly calling for change, while President Donald Trump faces his highest-ever disapproval rating.
According to Saednews, A new NBC News poll shows that registered voters favor Democratic control of Congress by seven percentage points, with Democrats leading Republicans 52% to 45%. This represents a two-point increase in the Democrats’ advantage compared with the previous month. Among independent voters, Democrats hold an even larger 21-point lead.
The survey, conducted between October 28 and October 30, found that only 3% of voters remained undecided. Their choices in the final days before the election could prove decisive in several closely contested House and Senate races across the country.
Although the findings suggest Democrats are well positioned to benefit from growing dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and his administration, the political landscape is more complicated than the overall numbers indicate.
Voters remain divided over key policy issues
Despite their advantage in congressional voting preferences, Democrats have not established a clear lead on most major policy issues. Voters rate the two parties relatively equally on their ability to address the country's most important challenges. Furthermore, the Democratic Party continues to struggle with unfavorable public perceptions.
Republicans also retain considerable support in traditionally conservative congressional districts and states that Trump won in 2024. This is particularly significant because Democrats must make substantial gains in these Republican-leaning areas to regain control of Congress.
Nevertheless, Republicans are facing mounting political difficulties. Trump's approval rating has fallen to 40%, while his disapproval rating has reached 60%, the highest level recorded in NBC News polling during either of his presidential terms.
Economic concerns are weighing heavily on Republicans
Trump returned to the White House in 2024 promising lower prices and a return to the economic conditions experienced during his first administration. However, approximately three-quarters of voters are now dissatisfied with the country's economic situation.
Nearly two-thirds believe the United States needs a change in direction, while half say the country requires a major transformation. This represents the highest level of demand for significant change recorded in NBC News polling.
For the first time in three decades of NBC News surveys, more Americans report dissatisfaction with their personal financial circumstances (51%) than satisfaction (49%).
Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt described Trump's presidency as a contrast between the optimistic promises made two years ago and the serious challenges facing the administration today.
He observed that Trump returned to office pledging economic prosperity and international peace, but voters are increasingly concerned about rising prices and economic uncertainty, particularly amid the conflict involving Iran.
According to the survey, 64% of voters, including one-third of those who supported Trump, believe the president has failed to meet their expectations. Only 34% say he has fulfilled them. Meanwhile, 70% believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, nine percentage points higher than a year earlier.
Inflation and the cost of living dominate voters' priorities
Inflation and living expenses remain voters' leading concerns. Other major issues include government corruption, threats to democracy, immigration and border security.
Republican pollster Bill McInturff argued that Democrats currently dominate the political agenda surrounding these issues. He noted that immigration is the only major issue on which voters who consider it a top priority are currently favoring Republicans.
Democrats hold a narrow one-point advantage over Republicans on controlling inflation, although this represents a slight decline from September. Republicans maintain a two-point advantage on the economy, a significant deterioration from the double-digit lead they enjoyed in recent years.
Democratic enthusiasm could influence the election outcome
Voter engagement with the upcoming midterm elections appears particularly strong. Around 70% of respondents rated their interest in the election at nine or ten on a ten-point scale.
Among highly engaged voters, Democrats enjoy a 12-point advantage. Republicans, however, lead by two points among those who are less interested in voting.
Self-identified MAGA Republicans also report considerably greater enthusiasm for the midterms than Republicans who do not identify with Trump's political movement. This could help the GOP mobilize voters who traditionally participate less frequently in midterm elections.
Republicans have increasingly emphasized cultural issues in competitive races, particularly transgender-related policies, as part of their campaign strategy. However, the poll suggests that this approach may have limitations: Democrats hold a five-point advantage over Republicans on which party voters believe would handle transgender issues more effectively.
Democrats benefit from Republican opposition rather than widespread popularity
Despite their strong position in the congressional race, Democrats continue to face a serious image problem.
Only 29% of voters have a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party, compared with 38% for Republicans. Approximately half of Americans express negative views of both parties.
Nevertheless, some voters who distrust Democrats are still prepared to support them in the upcoming election.
One respondent from Texas, who voted for Trump in 2024 but now intends to support Democratic congressional candidates, explained that he would prefer a shift in political power rather than allowing one party to maintain control.
He added that he does not particularly trust either political party but believes Republicans have demonstrated that they cannot be trusted.
This sentiment reflects a broader pattern among voters who previously supported Trump and traditionally favored Republicans but have become increasingly dissatisfied with the president and his party.
Republican voters are becoming less confident in Trump's leadership
Republicans themselves are increasingly divided over the country's direction. Currently, 48% believe the nation is moving in the right direction, while 43% disagree. One year ago, 75% of Republicans viewed the country's direction positively.
Economic dissatisfaction is also spreading within the Republican Party. A majority of Republican voters (53%) are unhappy with the economy, while 37% believe Trump has failed to deliver on his campaign promises.
Trump nevertheless maintains overwhelming support among Republicans who identify with the MAGA movement, receiving a 93% job approval rating from this group.
His standing is considerably weaker among Republicans outside the MAGA movement. Among these voters, 54% approve of his performance, while 46% disapprove. Furthermore, 20% of non-MAGA Republicans say they would prefer Democrats to control Congress following the election.
Trump has also lost support among several important demographic groups, including white voters without college degrees, younger Americans and Latino voters. These groups had helped him perform better in the 2024 election.
Republicans retain an advantage in the electoral map
One of the GOP's strongest advantages heading into the 2026 midterms is the geographical distribution of competitive seats.
Democrats must reclaim congressional districts and states that Trump carried in 2024 to regain control of Congress. Their challenge is particularly difficult in the Senate, where they need to win at least two states that Trump previously carried by double-digit margins.
However, Trump's approval rating has weakened even in these traditionally Republican areas. Among registered voters in states he won in 2024, 53% disapprove of his performance, compared with 47% who approve. His approval rating in these states was ten percentage points higher in March 2025.
Republicans continue to lead Democrats in congressional voting preferences within GOP-held districts and states that supported Trump in 2024. The central question is whether these geographical advantages will be sufficient to offset declining Republican support elsewhere.
Corruption remains a challenge for Democrats
Government corruption has become a major component of the Democratic campaign message. Nevertheless, voters still give Republicans a five-point advantage when asked which party would handle the issue more effectively.
However, Democrats lead among the 28% of voters who say they trust neither party to address corruption.
Republican congressional leaders also receive slightly better evaluations than their Democratic counterparts, although many voters remain unfamiliar with their performance.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has a favorable rating of 24%, while 34% view him negatively. Senate Majority Leader John Thune receives positive ratings from just 10% of voters, compared with 22% negative opinions.
Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries is viewed favorably by 18% and unfavorably by 35%.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces an even greater challenge: only 13% of voters view him positively, while 53% have an unfavorable opinion of him.
McInturff suggested that these unfavorable ratings could create difficulties for Democrats in the 2028 presidential election, but argued that they do not necessarily prevent the party from performing well in the 2026 midterms, when voters' attention is focused more heavily on Trump and economic conditions.
Public opinion remains divided over influential political figures
Technology billionaire Elon Musk, who has become one of the Republican Party's most significant financial supporters over the past two years, receives unfavorable opinions from 50% of voters. Only 34% view him positively.
Public opinion is more evenly divided regarding progressive politicians Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Sanders receives favorable ratings from 41% of respondents and unfavorable ratings from 42%. Ocasio-Cortez has a 31% favorable rating and a 42% unfavorable rating.
Democrats lead, but dissatisfaction with Republicans is driving much of their support
Overall, Democrats maintain a considerable advantage in the race for control of Congress. However, several findings suggest that their lead is driven more by opposition to Republicans than by genuine enthusiasm for the Democratic Party.
Voters who favor Democratic control of Congress are divided over whether their decision reflects support for Democrats or simply a desire to prevent Republicans from retaining power.
One Democratic voter from Ohio expressed frustration with her own party, saying that although she intended to vote for Democrats, party leaders needed to organize themselves and address their internal problems.
The findings suggest that the 2026 midterm elections could become a referendum on Trump's presidency, economic performance and Republican leadership. Although Democrats appear increasingly competitive, their continued unpopularity remains a significant weakness as they seek to translate voter dissatisfaction into electoral victories.
