A fresh Gallup survey released Tuesday indicates that the Democratic Party holds a clear advantage over the GOP in public favorability and on the economy, as both parties intensify their closing arguments ahead of November's midterm elections.
The poll shows 43% of Americans view the Democratic Party favorably, compared with 35% for the Republican Party. That marks a six-point gain for Democrats and a five-point decline for Republicans since last year, according to Gallup's tracking.
Historically, Democrats have enjoyed a modest favorability edge since 1992, averaging 49% versus the GOP's 44%. Both parties have at times hit majority support—Democrats in 2012 and Republicans in 2020—but neither currently enjoys majority approval.
This is the first time since September 2021 that Democrats have reached 43% favorability, when they also led Republicans by three points. The latest numbers suggest a broader shift in public sentiment as the campaign season enters its final stretch.
Economic trust shifts toward Democrats
On the economy, the Democratic Party now holds a significant lead among independents, with 50% saying Democrats would handle the issue better, compared with 32% for Republicans. This represents a notable reversal from earlier in the Biden administration, when Republicans often held an edge on economic competence.
Independents also prefer Democrats on the nation's most pressing problems (39% to 26%) and on keeping the country prosperous (just over half versus 37% for the GOP). Overall, 86% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats believe their own party is better equipped to address major national issues.
Gallup's analysts noted that the Democratic Party has improved its standing on multiple fronts, including prosperity and national security, erasing advantages the GOP had held during much of the current administration.
Persistent negativity toward both parties
Despite the Democratic gains, Gallup cautioned that neither party enjoys a broadly positive image. A majority of Americans still view the Democratic Party unfavorably, underscoring the deep partisan divisions that continue to shape the political landscape.
The poll's findings align with other recent surveys. An exclusive NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll, conducted by TrueDot.ai and released Tuesday, showed Democrats leading Republicans 49% to 42% on the generic congressional ballot. That survey also highlighted the competitive nature of the midterms as Democrats widen their House lead in some forecasts.
Republicans have sought to campaign on the achievements of the Trump administration, but internal divisions have emerged, with some candidates and incumbents calling for an end to the Iran war to lower energy prices—a growing concern among voters. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders have warned about the impact of GOP fundraising, as Schumer warns of a GOP money wave that could threaten their Senate hopes.
The Gallup survey was conducted September 1-17 among 1,000 respondents and has a margin of error of four percentage points.
