WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s approval rating remains close to its lowest level on record, creating political challenges for Republicans ahead of Tuesday’s congressional midterm elections, according to a latest Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The nationwide survey found that 46% of registered voters preferred Democrats over Republicans in the congressional elections, compared with 38% who favoured the Republican Party. The eight-percentage-point Democratic advantage, however, was narrower than the 11-point lead recorded in the previous week’s poll.
Trump’s Approval Rating and Rising Living Costs Add to Republican Challenges
The poll showed that only 32% of respondents approved of Trump’s performance as president, unchanged from the previous week and slightly above his record-low rating of 31% recorded two weeks earlier.
Although Trump is not a candidate in the midterm elections, his presidency remains a major factor in voters’ decisions. Around 50% of independent voters said their vote would be against Trump, while 13% described it as a vote in his favour. Another 33% said he would not influence their choice.
The rising cost of living has also emerged as a major concern, with 78% of respondents describing it as a very important or the most important factor in determining their vote. On this issue, Democrats held an advantage over Republicans, with 43% of voters expressing greater confidence in the Democratic Party compared with 32% for Republicans.
Democrats Show Greater Voting Enthusiasm
The survey also indicated stronger voting enthusiasm among Democratic supporters. Around 49% of Democratic voters said they were very enthusiastic about voting, compared with 33% of Republican voters.
Republicans are seeking to retain their majorities in both chambers of Congress. Political strategists believe Democrats have a stronger opportunity to gain control of the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats are being contested, while their path to a Senate majority remains more challenging.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,765 US adults online and had a margin of error of two percentage points.
