(AURN News) — Democrats are entering the 2026 midterm cycle with encouraging momentum, according to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll showing strong support among registered voters.
The survey asked voters, “If the 2026 election for Congress were held today, which party’s candidate are you more likely to vote for in your district?” A majority — 55% — said they would back the Democratic candidate, while 41% said they would support the Republican.
Independents, one of the most influential voting blocs in midterm elections, leaned heavily toward Democrats. Sixty-one percent said they would vote for a Democrat, compared with just 28% who preferred a Republican.
The poll also measured perceptions of blame for the recent government shutdown. Thirty-nine percent of respondents said congressional Democrats were most responsible. President Donald Trump fared slightly better, with 34% assigning him blame, while 26% pointed to Republicans in Congress.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
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