Fox News Poll: Cost-of-Living Concerns Weigh on GOP as Midterms Approach

A new Fox News survey reveals a stark economic landscape for the Republican Party just weeks before Election Day, with 6 in 10 voters saying the cost of living is their top economic worry - far outweighing government spending (15%), jobs and income inequality (7% each), tariffs (6%) and taxes (5%).

Majorities rate the economy negatively (74%) and expect it to worsen next year (53%), while two-thirds are dissatisfied with how things are going in the country (66%). Only 18% say their family is better off compared to two years ago. Among independents, 52% say they are worse off and 70% think the economy will get worse.

President Donald Trump's overall job approval has fallen to 36%, his lowest ever in a Fox News survey for either term. On inflation specifically, only 22% approve - a new low, down from 36% last summer. Disapproval of Trump's handling of inflation reaches 77%, while 70% disapprove of his handling of the economy.

The survey finds 54% of voters would back the Democratic candidate in their House district if the election were held today, versus 45% for the Republican - a Democratic lead outside the margin of error that has widened since September. Independents favor Democrats by 26 points.

Trump's approval among Republicans stands at 76%, down 3 points since last month and 16 points since early in his second term. Seven in 10 voters say they will vote to send a message to Trump, with nearly twice as many expressing opposition (47%) as support (25%).

The top five voter concerns are government corruption (60% extremely concerned), inflation (58%), gas prices (50%), government leadership (49%), and healthcare (48%). While Republicans retain the advantage on crime (by 10 points) and border security (R+8), Democrats are seen as better on healthcare (D+22), inflation (D+10), and fighting for working people (D+14).

Both parties are viewed negatively - the Democratic Party is underwater by 16 points and the GOP by 23 points - yet 31% of Democratic voters dislike their own party and 23% of Republican voters dislike theirs, suggesting the race may hinge more on turnout than on persuasion.

Reporting by Fox News. Read the original report: Fox News Poll: Cost-of-living concerns weigh on GOP in midterms.