The Progressive Professor

A New York Times-Siena poll, with seven weeks to the Midterm Elections of 2026, is demonstrating a widening lead in the strength of the Democratic Party, to gain control of both houses of Congress from the Republican Party.

Democratic candidates have a lead over Republicans of 51-43, as Americans have anger over the growing economic inflation, the Iran War, Tariffs, the ICE abuses taking place against immigrants with many being citizens, and the growing concern over the potential dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

On a variety of issues, Democrats have substantial leads over Republicans, including:

Health Care D plus 24
Immigration D plus 7
The Deficit D plus 10
The Economy D plus 7
Cost of Living D plus 8
Foreign Wars D plus 7
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict D plus 11

Independent voters strongly prefer Democrats in this election cycle, with 57 percent planning to vote for Democratic candidates.

Even white voters without college degrees are now a majority against Donald Trump, and voters in general see Republicans as more extreme, elitist, and corrupt, and prefer Democrats on cultural and economic issues.

By an 11 point margin, voters prefer a Democratic Congress, rather than a Republican Congress, for the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Younger voters now favor Democrats by 35 percentage points; Hispanic voters by 43 points; and Independent voters by 23 points.

Only 18 percent of Generation Z voters (under age 30), prefer Donald Trump.

Only 28 percent of voters approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while the massive number of 71 percent disapprove.

So the political situation for Democrats looks very promising, and one must remember that the party in the White House traditionally loses seats, and often control of Congress, in midterm elections.