Financial Struggles Drive 60-Point Shift to Democrats
Survey shows financially squeezed voters swung 60 points toward Democrats in midterms.
2 min read
A new NORC/Washington Post survey reveals that voters struggling financially swung 60 points toward Democrats between the 2024 presidential election and the midterms. Sixty-four percent of voters who said they were economically ‘falling behind’ voted for Democratic House candidates, compared to 33% for Republicans. This marks a significant shift in partisan support, as these voters had previously backed Trump over Kamala Harris by over 30 points in 2024.
Financial Struggles Shape Voting Patterns
Of the 90,000 voters surveyed, 29% said they were struggling financially, 58% were ‘holding steady,’ and 12% were ‘getting ahead.’ Among those holding steady, 52% supported Democrats, while 45% backed Republicans. Those who felt they were getting ahead were more likely to support Republicans, with 59% voting for them.
Independent Voters Shift Toward Democrats
One in five independent voters supported Democrats by more than 20 points, a much larger margin than those who supported Harris over Trump. Nearly seven in ten independents supported Democratic Kansas Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton, while about two-thirds of independents backed Democratic Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico.
Economic Concerns Drive Democratic Support
Forty-five percent of Hispanic voters believed the economy was the most important issue, while 15% cited immigration. Sixty-two percent of Hispanic voters said the cost of living was ‘crucial’ to their vote, with 70% and 57% voting for Democrats. Rising energy and gas prices have exacerbated these concerns, with gas prices reaching $3.94 per gallon, up from $3.07 the previous year.
Young Men and Gen Z Support Democrats
Young men, who supported Trump in 2024, shifted 17 points toward Democrats in the midterms. A Harvard Youth Poll found that 27% of young people believed they were financially worse off than their parents, while 25% felt better off. Generation Z showed the lowest support for the Iran war, with only 30% backing it, compared to 44% of Baby Boomers and 55% of the Silent Generation.
In case you had any questions about some of what went down on Tuesday night… https://t.co/mYScNSmPP0
In case you had any questions about some of what went down on Tuesday night… https://t.co/mYScNSmPP0
Voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy and the Iran war, leading them to support Democrats. Forty-four percent of respondents said their financial situation was worse than two years ago, while 18% felt better off, according to an NBC News poll from November 3.
Source: Daily Caller