New polling data highlighted by Harry Enten suggests growing dissatisfaction among Democratic voters with their party’s congressional leadership, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Speaking on CNN, Enten pointed to a sharp decline in net approval ratings for Democratic congressional leaders among Democrats themselves. According to the data, internal approval has fallen from positive territory in previous election cycles to negative levels, signaling a notable shift in sentiment within the party.
“In 2006, Democrats’ net approval of their congressional leaders was strongly positive, and even as recently as the last midterm it remained well above zero,” Enten said. “Now, the bottom has fallen out.”
The polling also indicates broader dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership priorities. Roughly three-quarters of respondents overall said congressional Democrats have the wrong priorities, while only about one-quarter said they have the right ones.
Notably, that skepticism extends to Democratic-leaning voters. Among Democrats and independents who lean Democratic, a majority expressed doubts about whether party leaders are focused on the right issues. Enten characterized the findings as a warning sign that could lead to increased primary challenges within the party.
“These numbers are just awful,” he said, adding that the data “screams primary challenges.”
Separate national polling reinforces concerns about the Democratic Party’s broader standing with voters. According to recent averages compiled by RealClearPolitics, Democrats hold a net favorability rating of approximately -20 points, with a majority of Americans viewing the party unfavorably.
By comparison, President Donald J. Trump also maintains a negative approval rating, though slightly less severe in some surveys. Polling cited from Quinnipiac University found Trump’s approval at around -18 points, while the Democratic Party favorability was even lower.
Additional data from a Yahoo News/YouGov survey showed similar trends, with both Trump and Democrats underwater nationally. However, the surveys indicate Republicans remain more unified in their support for Trump than Democrats are for their own party.
Among Republican voters, Trump’s approval ratings remain overwhelmingly positive, while Democratic voters show comparatively lower levels of enthusiasm for their party. Analysts view this gap in internal cohesion as a potential vulnerability for Democrats.
Despite these challenges, Democrats continue to show strength in some key political indicators. Multiple polls give the party an advantage on the generic congressional ballot, suggesting they remain competitive in the fight for control of Congress. In the Yahoo News/YouGov poll, Democrats led by four points, while the Quinnipiac survey showed an even wider margin.
Democrats have also notched a series of special election victories in districts previously carried by Trump, pointing to continued electoral competitiveness despite broader favorability concerns.
The mixed polling landscape presents a complex picture as both parties look ahead to the 2026 midterms. While Democrats face internal dissatisfaction and weak favorability ratings, they continue to perform well in certain electoral tests. Republicans, meanwhile, show stronger internal unity but face their own challenges with independent voters.
For Democratic leadership, the emerging data underscores a key tension: maintaining voter support within their own coalition while appealing to a broader electorate in a highly polarized political environment.
As the midterm cycle approaches, how party leaders respond to these internal concerns could play a significant role in shaping candidate fields, campaign strategies, and ultimately, election outcomes.