An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released roughly two weeks before the 2026 midterm elections found that 39% of Americans approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance. The survey results come as candidates compete for control of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold a 218-to-214 seat advantage.
The 39% approval rating for the president represents a decline from the 44% recorded at the start of his second term. According to the Cook Political Report, 46 House seats are considered competitive in the upcoming midterm elections, while Democrats require a net gain of four seats to win control of the Senate.
Economic and infrastructure issues have remained central to the campaign cycle. Data from AAA’s price tracker indicates that the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen to $4.30, compared to $2.98 approximately eight months ago. Additionally, the poll found that 58% of voters believe the construction of data centers by technology companies will have a negative impact on the country.
The scale of political spending has reached $10 billion as of mid-October, specifically for television, digital, and radio advertisements. This figure does not include internal campaign operations or field office expenses. The high volume of spending and the reported voter concerns regarding data center expansion indicate a focus on both national economic trends and the technology industry.
The next steps for voters occur on Election Day, which is scheduled for early November 2026. While the specific outcomes of the 46 competitive House races remain undetermined, the results will dictate the balance of power in Washington for the remainder of the presidential term. Following the midterms, the next presidential election is scheduled to take place in late 2028.