New Poll Suggests Midterms May Not Be Quite the Slam Dunk Democrats Expect– legalinsurrection.com

If history is any guide, Republicans should be bracing for a difficult midterm. With the lone exceptions of 1998 and 2002, the party occupying the White House has lost House seats in virtually every modern midterm election, fueling Democratic confidence about retaking the chamber next year. But a new poll suggests the outcome may not be quite the slam dunk Democrats are anticipating. Republicans may be in a stronger position than many analysts have assumed.

A Washington Post/Ipsos poll released on Saturday asked participants which political party they trusted to handle the economy better. Despite the spike in energy prices due to the war with Iran, Republicans held a four-point advantage, with 39% choosing the GOP compared with 35% who selected the Democrats.

Likewise, despite the Left’s portrayal of President Donald Trump as a reckless authoritarian bent on destroying “our democracy,” Republicans also narrowly led on the question of which party voters agreed with more on “important issues.” Forty-one percent sided with the GOP, while 40% chose the Democrats.

Washington Post/Ipsos poll | 7/9-7/13 RV

Generic congressional ballot 2026
🟦Democratic 48%
🟥Republican 45%
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Which political party do you agree with more on important issues?
🟥Republican 41%
🟦Democratic 40%
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Which political party do you trust to do a better job handling the…

— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) July 18, 2026