Ipsos Data Shows Democrats Widen Midterm Lead to 9 Points as Trump Approval Plummets
A new Ipsos analysis of the Reuters/Ipsos Core Political survey, conducted October 22-26, 2026, reveals that Democrats hold a 9-point advantage over Republicans among likely voters for the 2026 generic congressional ballot. The data indicates 53% of likely voters favor or lean toward Democratic candidates, compared to 44% for Republicans. This shift correlates with a sharp decline in President Donald Trump’s approval ratings, with only 32% approving of his overall performance and just 25% approving of his economic handling. Public frustration with the cost of living has intensified, with only 20% approving of the administration’s approach to living costs. The Democratic party now leads on economic competence by 6 points, a significant reversal from the 17-point Republican advantage seen in January 2025. While Republican base support has softened, with fewer voters strongly approving of the president’s economic record, Democrats continue to show higher enthusiasm for voting in the upcoming midterms.
