A new Fox News poll marks a significant shift in voter sentiment: for the first time since 2010, Americans say they trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle the economy, 52 percent to 48 percent. The finding offers Democrats a potential opening to reclaim ground on kitchen-table issues as the 2026 midterms approach.
The last time Democrats held such an edge was in May 2010, when 44 percent favored Democrats and 41 percent Republicans, ending an eight-year stretch of Democratic advantage. Now, with the GOP's longstanding edge on economic stewardship eroding, party strategists see a path to retaking both chambers of Congress.
Geoffrey Skelley, chief elections analyst at Decision Desk HQ, called the polling a “telling” sign, linking it to declining consumer sentiment and President Trump’s falling approval on the economy. “Trump was elected in part because people thought he was a good steward of the economy the first time,” Skelley said. “The fact that now he is scoring so poorly, and you have a finding like this—where the Republican advantage on the economy has shrunk to potentially nothing—is problematic for making an argument for why people shouldn’t be considering change.”
Republicans currently hold a 53–47 Senate majority. Democrats would need to hold all their seats and flip four GOP seats to win control. Skelley remains skeptical but noted that “if trends continue somewhat like they are, or things get worse for the GOP, then certainly Democrats could definitely win the Senate.” He added that the very fact the Senate map is competitive “is probably a bad sign for Republicans.”
Democrats have spent months hammering a disciplined message on cost-of-living issues, particularly healthcare. In January, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released a memo highlighting research that the party’s focus on lowering costs has coincided with growing voter trust on inflation and the economy. The memo also argued that Democratic messaging during the recent government shutdown strengthened the party’s standing on healthcare.
“Democrats are focused on lowering costs, and in November, Republicans will pay a price at the ballot box for their toxic cost-raising agenda,” said Joe Bush, DSCC national press secretary. Kendall Witmer of the DNC echoed that: “Democrats are meeting voters where they’re at and focusing on the issues that matter most, like lower costs, affordable healthcare, and accessible housing.”
Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright credited the party’s consistency on affordability for recent off-year wins, including races involving New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherill. “That is the reason we’ve seen success down the ballot,” Seawright said. “No matter where you fall on the economic spectrum, everyone’s feeling the brunt of this affordability crisis.” He emphasized that Democrats “cannot lose that focus.”
In the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson presides over a historically narrow majority, Democrats need just three seats to flip control. The Cook Political Report shows Democrats with an edge in key battleground districts. A recent poll of the 36 most competitive districts found voters would prefer a generic Democrat over a generic Republican—a result Cook called “a flashing red warning light for the fall.”
Democrats are also eyeing broader trends: an uptick in independent voters abandoning party labels could further scramble the electoral landscape. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has ruled out pursuing impeachment if Democrats retake the chamber, signaling a focus on economic messaging rather than political retribution.
