Democrats Face Uphill Battle on Key Issues in 2026 Midterms

Trump's focus on immigration highlights voters' continued preference for GOP on some key topics.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Despite President Trump's declining approval ratings on immigration, voters still tend to favor Republicans over Democrats on key issues like the economy, border security, and crime. This poses a challenge for Democrats as they aim to capitalize on Trump's unpopularity and make 2026 a wave election year.

Why it matters

Voters' lack of faith in the Democratic Party on certain issues could undermine the party's momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections, even as Trump's overall approval ratings have declined. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for Democrats to craft an effective campaign strategy.

The details

Polling shows Republicans maintaining leads over Democrats on issues like the economy, immigration, border security, and crime, despite Trump's declining approval. This appears to be driven in part by a general tendency for voters to favor the GOP on these topics, as well as lingering doubts about the Democratic Party's ability to address these concerns. Democrats do hold advantages on issues like healthcare, the environment, and women's rights, but the bread-and-butter economic and security issues may be more front-and-center for many voters.

  • In recent polls conducted between 2021 and 2026, Republicans have held leads over Democrats on key issues like the economy and immigration.
  • Trump's net approval rating on immigration has declined from double-digits positive a year ago to double-digits negative today.

The players

President Donald Trump

The current president, who has centered his political messaging on immigration and border security issues.

Democratic Party

The opposition party, which is seeking to capitalize on Trump's unpopularity and make 2026 a wave election year.

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What they’re saying

“The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”

— President Donald Trump (State of the Union address)

“Democrats would open the border up 'all over again if they ever had the chance.”

— President Donald Trump (State of the Union address)

The takeaway

While Democrats have some clear advantages on certain issues, the party's perceived weaknesses on the economy, immigration, and other key topics could undermine their momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Addressing these vulnerabilities will be crucial for the party to capitalize on Trump's declining popularity and achieve their goals.