National Poll Shows Economic Frustration Could Reshape NC Midterm Elections
New polling shows 43% of Americans feel they’re falling behind economically, while Trump’s approval hits a decade low with even his own voters expressing dissatisfaction.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Economic anxiety is driving voter sentiment ahead of the midterm elections, according to a new national poll that shows deep dissatisfaction with current conditions and declining support for President Donald Trump among his own voters.
Tom Jensen, director of Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling, presented the findings at the NewDeal Forum’s 2026 Summit in Raleigh last week. The survey of 680 registered voters revealed that 43% of Americans believe they are falling behind economically, while only 13% say they are getting ahead.
Trump’s Approval Hits Decade Low
The polling data shows troubling signs for Republicans, with Trump’s approval ratings reaching their lowest point since he entered national politics. “Basically, [Trump’s] numbers right now are the worst we’ve found for him the entire decade that he’s been on the scene,” Jensen said. “He’s more unpopular now than he ever was during his first term.”
According to Jensen, approximately 20% of Trump voters from 2024 are no longer satisfied with his performance in office. The poll found that 27% of Republicans surveyed felt their own families were falling behind economically.
“We actually had one poll recently where only 67% of Trump’s voters approved of the job he’s doing. In some areas, he’s” losing support among his base, Jensen noted.
Economic Pressures Drive Voter Concerns
The survey identified specific economic pressures weighing on American households. Nearly 30% of respondents said groceries represent the biggest financial burden, while one in four cited gas prices and energy costs as their top worry.
Overall, 43% of those polled rated the current economy as “poor,” reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with economic conditions under the Trump administration’s second term.
Redistricting Battles Heat Up Nationwide
The economic concerns come as Republican-led states rush to redraw congressional maps following a late April Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act. Tennessee lawmakers recently approved new district boundaries that could result in a 9-0 Republican advantage in the state’s congressional delegation.
The aggressive redistricting efforts were a topic of concern among Democratic officials attending the NewDeal Forum summit. The left-leaning national nonprofit focuses on economic growth and sustainable progress in areas including housing, transit, childcare and voting rights.
Despite Republican advantages in redistricting, Jensen’s polling suggests Democrats maintain a four-point lead over Republicans on the generic congressional ballot. The findings indicate that economic frustrations may overshadow potential benefits Republicans hoped to gain from favorable district maps.
The NewDeal Forum’s annual summit brought together progressive officials and activists to discuss strategies for addressing economic challenges and protecting voting rights ahead of the November elections.
