Republicans entered the 2026 election cycle with a 53-47 Senate majority and reason to believe they could retain it. Now, competitive races are emerging in states that once looked safely Republican. Control of the House also remains in play. With election day still ahead, the question is what voters expect either party to do about the cost of living.
The most salient issue this cycle has been affordability. Voters consistently rank the economy as the most important issue influencing their decision; high interest rates and increased fuel prices have fanned the flames of increasing voter dissatisfaction. This is apparent on multiple fronts.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has hovered around 40% for roughly the last year as voters grow frustrated with high prices on everyday commodities. This has forced many Republicans into an uncomfortable corner, choosing between allying themselves with the administration or distancing themselves in an attempt to win independent and frustrated voters. However, voter frustration is not only limited to Republicans, as evidenced by increased incumbent backlash in the 2026 midterm cycle.
The 2026 midterms have seen the greatest number of House incumbents of both parties fail to advance to the general election in recent memory. While there are limited similarities between Republicans who failed to secure their renomination, there is a commonality among Democrats. Most of the Democrat incumbents who did not win their primary were replaced by younger and more far left candidates, putting the internal strife within the party on full display.
Politicians in Washington are attempting to meet voter demands regarding affordability while balancing the need for future AI development, national security and economic growth. This effort to find such a balance is evident with the passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts, which provides new and expanded tax relief for American workers and families. Another way Congress is attempting to meet these demands is through the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act. This bill recently passed in the House and seeks to prevent large data centers and high-load consumers from shifting the economic burden of grid upgrades and increased usage to local residents and small businesses.
Questions of affordability, foreign policy and artificial intelligence will continue to determine the political landscape in the coming years and will certainly be the main areas of concern for 2028 presidential hopefuls. Democrats are facing an increasingly divided internal ecosystem that will make determining their 2028 candidate difficult, with fears that a candidate too extreme will lose middle ground voters.
On the other hand, Republicans will be grappling with the current presidency’s approval ratings and voters frustrated with the current economic situation. Whispers in Washington may be circulating about who will announce their bid to run, but regardless of who the 2028 candidates will be, these issues will continue to dominate the conversation, especially as both parties continue to navigate this ever-changing political environment.
SEE ALSO: ‘IT’S GOING TO BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE’: ANIRBAN BASU ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MARKET IN Q4
