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By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
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A clear majority of voters would choose a Democrat candidate for Congress if the midterms were held today, a new poll shows.
The PBS News/NPR/Marist survey, conducted between November 10 and 13, revealed that 55 percent of voters would elect a Democratic candidate, compared to 41 percent who would opt for a Republican.
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The 14-point lead for the Democrats is the party's largest since November 2017. In 2018, during Trump's first term, the Democrats won more than 40 seats in the House of Representatives in the midterm elections.
Why It Matters
The poll shows Democrats in a strong position ahead of the 2026 midterms, when they hope to win back the House and the Senate.
The numbers also indicate growing voter dissatisfaction with the GOP amid recent political turbulence, signaling that Republicans may face a challenging environment ahead of next year’s election.
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What To Know
The PBS News/NPR/Marist poll also showed substantial support for Democrats among independents, with 61 percent saying they would vote for Democrats, while 28 percent said they would vote for Republicans. This gives the Democrats a +33-point advantage.
The survey suggests Democrats are viewed as more open to differing viewpoints than Republicans. When asked about political discussions, 60 percent of Americans said Republicans come across as mostly closed-minded, compared with 39 percent who described them as open-minded. Views of Democrats were more favorable: a narrow majority, 51 percent, said Democrats tend to be open-minded, while 48 percent saw them as closed-minded.
The perception gap is even wider among independents. Nearly 69 percent of independents said Republicans are mostly closed-minded in political conversations, while 53 percent said Democrats generally approach such discussions with a more open-minded attitude.
Meanwhile, the poll also showed Trump's approval rating at -17 points, with 39 percent approving and 56 percent disapproving. That is down from -12 points in September.
The poll follows a string of Democratic victories in recent elections. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani beat former Governor Andrew Cuomo to become the city’s first Muslim mayor earlier this month.
Democrats picked up another victory in Virginia, where former Representative Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, beat Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears to become governor. In New Jersey, Democratic U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli in the gubernatorial race.
Meanwhile, in California, voters approved Proposition 50, a plan to redraw the state's congressional districts that was spearheaded by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of The Cook Political Report, told PBS the wins had “consequences in invigorating Democrats” ahead of the midterms. The string of losses for the Republicans also prompted former White House strategist Steve Bannon to issue a stark warning on X, writing: “The midterms start tonight, and the warning signs are flashing.”
What Happens Next
The midterm elections will take place in November 2026.
Update 11/19/25, 9:13 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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