A new Emerson College poll shows Democrats with 50% support, up from 44% in July, as Republicans hold steady at 42%.
Latest Polling Results
According to the latest Emerson College Polling conducted on February 21-22, 50% of respondents declare they would vote for a Democratic Party candidate. In July of last year, this was 44%. Meanwhile, support for Republicans is relatively stable and currently stands at 42%.
Key Issues for Voters
In relation to the November congressional by-elections, respondents were asked which issues are most important to them on a scale of 1 to 10. The highest importance was attributed to cost of living (average 8.2), followed by healthcare costs (7.8), inflation (7.6), deportation policy (7.1), access to healthcare (6.9), and border security (6.3).
Partisan Differences on Issues
Democrats rated healthcare costs higher than the average at 8.6, but gave border security the lowest rating at 4.9. Republicans rated border security at 8.3 and deportation policy at 8.2, significantly higher than Democrats (4.9 and 6.9) and independents (5.9 and 6.5).
Upcoming US Elections
In the United States by-elections, all 435 representatives in the House of Representatives and 35 out of 100 parliamentarians in the Senate will be elected. Elections will also be held for several dozen governors. Currently, the House has 218 Republican representatives and 214 Democratic representatives, with Republicans holding a majority in the Senate (53 seats).
Growing Social Dissatisfaction
Democratic results have improved in suburban districts, while in traditionally conservative areas, the Republican lead has narrowed. According to Paul Balawajder and Mateusz Piotrowski from the Polish Institute of International Affairs, this reflects growing dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s policies and the Republican Party.
Democrats are highlighting issues like rental and mortgage costs, energy prices, and access to healthcare and education. The Trump administration’s use of the National Guard in Democratic-run cities and the involvement of ICE and Border Patrol in immigration enforcement are also sources of growing public discontent.