RismadarVoice Reporters
September 15, 2026
Democrats have opened a seven-point lead over Republicans ahead of the November US midterm elections, according to an opinion poll, giving the party its strongest advantage in the congressional vote since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
The poll found that 44% of Americans said they would support a Democratic candidate for Congress, compared with 37% who said they would vote for a Republican candidate.
The seven-point margin represents a significant shift in the political landscape ahead of the November elections, which will determine control of the US House of Representatives and Senate and could significantly affect Trump’s ability to advance his legislative agenda during the remaining years of his presidency.
The survey, conducted from September 11 to 14 among 1,143 US adults, also showed that Trump’s personal approval rating had recovered slightly to 35%, up from a record low of 33% recorded in late August. The poll has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Despite the modest improvement in Trump’s approval rating, the Republican Party has lost ground on several issues that could influence voters before the midterms.
The report says Democrats were narrowly viewed as more capable of handling the economy, with 38% of respondents favouring the Democratic Party compared with 37% for Republicans.
The shift is significant because Republicans have traditionally held an advantage over Democrats on economic management, making the change potentially important as voters assess household finances, energy costs and broader economic conditions.
Trump’s standing has also been affected by public dissatisfaction with aspects of his administration, including the economic consequences of the conflict involving Iran, which has disrupted energy supplies and contributed to higher fuel prices.
The poll also found substantial opposition to Trump’s proposal to distribute a $5,000 payment to Americans if Republicans retain control of Congress. Sixty-three per cent of respondents said they opposed the proposal, including 40% of Republicans, according to the survey.
The findings come after the Republican Party’s first midterm convention, which Trump had promoted as an important mobilisation exercise ahead of the elections.
Democrats, meanwhile, are seeking to capitalise on dissatisfaction with the administration and consolidate support among voters concerned about the economy and other domestic issues.
The political consequences could be significant if the current polling advantage translates into actual votes in November. Losing either chamber of Congress would make it considerably more difficult for Trump and congressional Republicans to push through legislation and could increase scrutiny of the administration.
However, the poll represents a national snapshot rather than a prediction of the final distribution of congressional seats. US congressional elections are decided through individual state and district races, meaning national voting preferences do not necessarily translate directly into control of Congress.
The survey nevertheless points to a potentially difficult electoral environment for Republicans as the midterm campaign enters a more intense phase.
With voting approaching, both parties are expected to focus heavily on economic conditions, the cost of living, energy prices, immigration, national security and the performance of the Trump administration as they compete for control of Congress.
The latest findings reinforce the growing importance of the 2026 midterms as a test of Trump’s political standing and the direction of US policy during the second half of his presidency.