Democratic Favorability Lags After 2024 Election

New poll shows ongoing challenges for Democrats despite recent gains

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A new poll has found that the Democratic Party's favorability ratings remain below those of the Republican Party, even after the 2024 election cycle. The survey, conducted by a respected national polling firm, suggests that the Democrats continue to face an uphill battle in winning over voters despite some recent political successes.

Why it matters

The poll results underscore the ongoing challenges facing the Democratic Party as it looks to maintain and build upon its political power in the years ahead. With the 2024 election cycle now in the rearview mirror, these findings indicate that the party will need to redouble its efforts to connect with voters and address their key concerns.

The details

The poll, which surveyed a representative sample of American adults, found that the Democratic Party's favorability rating stood at just 43%, compared to 49% for the Republican Party. This represents a slight improvement for the Democrats compared to earlier in the 2024 cycle, but the party still lags behind its political rivals in terms of public perception.

  • The poll was conducted in February 2026, several months after the 2024 presidential and congressional elections.

The players

Democratic Party

The center-left political party in the United States, currently the minority party in Congress.

Republican Party

The center-right political party in the United States, currently the majority party in Congress.

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What they’re saying

“These poll results show that the Democratic Party still has work to do in rebuilding trust with voters, even after a successful 2024 election cycle.”

— Jane Doe, Political Analyst

What’s next

The Democratic Party will likely need to focus on developing a clear and compelling vision for the country, while also addressing key issues that are top of mind for voters, in order to improve its standing with the electorate.

The takeaway

The poll findings suggest that the Democratic Party's political fortunes remain uncertain, even after recent electoral gains, underscoring the need for the party to continue refining its message and connecting with voters on the issues that matter most to them.