Voters blame inflation, weak picks for GOP losses
New polling data reveals that economic pain and perceived corruption drove voters away from Republican candidates in Tuesday's midterms.
By Robert Ward ·
Grocery receipts and gas station prices drove the outcome of Tuesday's midterm elections, according to new survey data. Voters in all 50 states reported that high costs for food, healthcare, and energy were the primary factors influencing their choices. The financial strain made it difficult for Republican candidates to hide from the economic reality facing working families.
The American Press Voter Poll found that about two-thirds of voters nationwide believe the economy has worsened under President Donald Trump. Within that group, roughly 8 in 10 said they voted for the Democratic candidate in their local House race. Nationally, voters who identified as very concerned about everyday costs overwhelmingly backed Democrats.
In Texas, the impact of inflation was a deciding factor. About 2 in 10 Texas voters reported that inflation imposed severe hardship on their households. Three-quarters of those voters supported Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Talarico also won the majority of the roughly 6 in 10 voters who reported moderate hardship from rising prices.
Voters cited specific policy decisions as reasons for their dissatisfaction. They blamed Trump for his tariffs, the war in Iran, and his failure to lower prices as promised two years ago. More than half of voters nationally said government corruption was crucial to their congressional vote, a higher priority than the cost of living for many respondents.
The president's focus on personal wealth added to voter frustration. Trump earned more than $1 billion last year from meme coins and cryptocurrency. He also solicited donations from powerful companies to build a White House ballroom after demolishing the East Wing. About two-thirds of voters said Trump does not have the right priorities, and the overwhelming majority of these voters supported Democratic House candidates.
Voters expressed a desire for stronger congressional oversight. About 7 in 10 voters said Congress was not doing enough to provide checks and balances for the presidency. This sentiment included about 4 in 10 Republicans. The data suggests that while Democrats won the House and Senate, they face a mandate to assert more authority against the executive branch.
The victory for Democrats was not a full endorsement of the party. Only about half of voters held a somewhat or strongly favorable view of the Democratic Party. About 2 in 10 voters who supported Democratic candidates still had a negative view of the party as a whole. Roughly 2 in 10 voters said neither party was better equipped to handle issues like the economy, foreign policy, or healthcare.
Trump's choice of candidates also hurt Republican efforts. In South Carolina, he chose Darline Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, to fill the open seat. About 6 in 10 voters in that race said she lacked the necessary experience. In Texas, Trump backed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the primary. About two-thirds of Texas Senate voters said Paxton lacked the character to serve.
In North Carolina, about 6 in 10 voters said Republican nominee Michael Whatley was too supportive of Trump. Those voters chose former Governor Roy Cooper instead. In Maine, voters prioritized needed change over experience, favoring Democrat Troy Jackson over incumbent Susan Collins. The results show that voters selected Democrats in key races not out of love for the party, but out of a desire for change and stronger oversight.
