Polling News

Midterm Majority Flip

August 26, 2021

The crises in the Democrat-controlled government range from a botched Afghanistan pullout to an overrun southern border are now sharply reducing Democratic chances of holding on to their Congress majorities. A new NBC News survey from Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies showed that 46% of Americans prefer 2022 to result in a Republican majority, compared to 47% hoping to see Democrats keeping their hold on Congress. That compares to April when 42% of Americans favored Republican leadership, compared to 47% preferring Democrats. The smaller Democratic advantage resulted from a 4%  swing of undecideds toward Republicans.

Data from previous NBC News surveys suggest even that small movement may be all Republicans need.  In Oct. 2020, NBC News showed a five-point Democratic edge (48%-43%). That election, Democrats took the Senate with a 50-50 split, while Republicans  gained ground in the House, adding 14 seats. As it stands, Republicans only need to win six more seats to take back the House, while on the Senate side, Republicans only need to hold their ground and win one seat—no easy task, but not insurmountable either.

When Republicans flipped nine seats in Oct. 2014 to retake the Senate Majority while holding their House Majority, NBC polling showed 46% of voters favored a Democrat-controlled Congress, versus only 42% who preferred Republicans. Similarly, when Republicans flipped 63 seats for a win in 2010, the NBC poll was 46%, Republicans, 44%, Democrats.

The NBC News numbers make Republican prospects in the 2022 midterms look brighter, meanwhile, the stream of crises assaulting the Biden White House doesn’t appear to be slowing.  Republicans must focus on identifying strong candidates who will inspire enthusiasm up and down the ballot.  The more attractive the full ticket is, the better GOP prospects will be in the 435 races for the House, the 34 Senate contests, and the 36 gubernatorial matchups in 2022.

Related PollingNews

Placeholder polling news
May 25, 2023 |
Polling News
In this busy news week for the 2024 presidential contest, Harvard’s monthly Harris Poll broke down where different contenders and political figures stand as the field of White House hopefuls grows. ...
Placeholder polling news
May 18, 2023 |
Polling News
Last week saw the end of the Trump Administration COVID-era Title 42 policy that allowed the expulsion of thousands of illegal immigrants weekly.  ...
Placeholder polling news
May 11, 2023 |
Polling News
According to Pew Research polling, news doesn’t travel the way it used to when it comes to younger voters. ...
Placeholder polling news
May 04, 2023 |
Polling News
A new poll from Harvard’s Kennedy School Institute of Politics tells us that anxieties among young voters on many issues are driving them to vote at near record levels. ...
Button karlsbooks
Button readinglist
Button nextapperance