Democrats Face Steeper Popularity Challenge Than in 2018
As voters prepare for the 2026 midterm elections, NBC News political analyst Steve Kornacki has highlighted a notable shift in public attitudes toward the two major parties.
In a recent segment, Kornacki presented poll data from late October showing how Americans view the Democratic and Republican parties. Democrats registered just 29 percent favorable and 52 percent unfavorable. Republicans stood at 38 percent favorable and 50 percent unfavorable.
“Republicans are not popular,” Kornacki observed, “but this is about where they were back in 2018 in Trump’s first midterm.” The contrast for Democrats, however, stands out. “Look at the Democrats: 29 favorable, 52 unfavorable. This is different from 2018,” he said. “In 2018 the Democrats as a party had much better numbers than this.”
Kornacki framed the figures as raising a practical question for the coming elections. Many voters express disapproval of former President Trump and frustration with the economy and inflation. The key issue, he suggested, is whether those voters will “take the next step and vote for Democrats given how unpopular Democrats are as a party,” or whether the party’s low standing will limit its ability to fully capitalize on an otherwise promising political climate.
The numbers arrive at a moment when both parties carry substantial unfavorable ratings near or above 50 percent. The Democratic shortfall relative to 2018 is particularly striking because that earlier midterm produced significant Democratic gains. The current data suggests the party enters this cycle with a weaker foundation of public goodwill.
Independent political coverage accounts have circulated the segment, underscoring the contrast with the 2018 environment. While favorability ratings alone do not determine election outcomes, they provide one measure of the headwinds each party faces as voters head to the polls.
The figures leave open whether dissatisfaction with the status quo will translate into Democratic support or whether the party’s own unpopularity will constrain potential gains.
