The Democratic Party’s public image has plunged to its lowest level in more than three decades, according to a new Wall Street Journal poll released Friday, underscoring growing voter dissatisfaction as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Only 8% of registered voters say they view the Democratic Party “very favorably,” while 63% believe the party is out of touch with the everyday concerns of Americans. The poll also shows that Republicans now lead on eight of ten major issues, including the economy, immigration, and crime.
Conducted between July 16 and 20 among 1,500 registered voters, the survey reveals a significant erosion in Democratic support despite President Donald Trump’s continued personal unpopularity. The GOP now leads in overall party identification, while Democrats face a net favorability rating of -30 — the worst showing in the Journal’s polling since 1990. The poll carries a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points.
Why It Matters
The results reflect the fallout from the 2024 election, when Trump defeated then–Vice President Kamala Harris by two points in the popular vote and secured 312 electoral votes. Democrats also lost control of both chambers of Congress, with internal party divisions and messaging struggles deepening in the aftermath.
Although Trump remains a deeply polarizing figure, voters appear to be shifting their trust toward Republicans on key issues. The GOP holds a 10-point advantage on managing inflation and leads by 7 points on tariffs — even though Trump’s own economic policies receive mixed marks.
“This should be a wake-up call for Democrats,” said John Anzalone, a Democratic pollster involved in the survey. “They’ve lost the credibility to be effective critics of Trump. Until they reconnect with real voters and working families, they’ll keep bleeding support.”
Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who was not involved in the poll, added: “In 2017, we were already seeing the tide going out for Republicans. That’s not the case today. Republicans are far more competitive now.”
What Voters Are Saying
While Democrats retain a narrow edge on health care and vaccine policy, the party is falling behind on nearly every other issue. Even with President Trump’s net unfavorability sitting at -7, Republicans are gaining ground in public trust — a dramatic shift from the early months of his first term.
Despite the poor marks for Democrats, the congressional ballot remains close: 46% of voters say they would choose a Democrat if the election were held today, compared to 43% who would vote Republican. That’s a steep drop from the 8-point Democratic lead during Trump’s first year in office.
What’s Next?
Democratic strategists are calling for a reset ahead of 2026, particularly when it comes to economic messaging. Meanwhile, Republicans are expected to press their advantage on border security, inflation, and foreign policy as they prepare for another high-stakes election cycle.
The poll serves as a clear warning: unless Democrats can reestablish credibility with working-class voters and offer a compelling economic vision, they risk further erosion — and another decisive Republican wave.
