By Reloaded News Desk
President Donald Trump and the Republican Party face fresh challenges ahead of the November 3, 2026, US midterm elections, following new polls showing competitive races in Ohio and Iowa, two states Trump won by double-digit margins in 2024.
The CNN polls, conducted by SSRS between September 29 and October 5, found Democratic candidates leading in key statewide contests, while voters in both traditionally Republican states expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of living and the economic effects of the Trump administration’s policies.
In Ohio, former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown leads Republican Jon Husted by 49 per cent to 43 per cent among likely voters in the Senate race. Husted was appointed to the seat vacated by JD Vance when he became vice-president.
Brown’s six-point lead makes Ohio a significant potential pickup opportunity for Democrats as they seek to gain control of the Senate.
In Iowa, however, the Senate contest remains closer. Republican Representative Ashley Hinson leads Democrat Josh Turek by 45 per cent to 43 per cent, a difference within the poll’s margin of sampling error. The result leaves the race without a clear leader at this stage.
Trump’s Approval Ratings Under Pressure
The polls also found low approval ratings for Trump in both states.
In Ohio, 36 per cent of likely voters approved of his performance, while in Iowa, the figure stood at 41 per cent.
Economic concerns featured prominently in the surveys. About three-quarters of likely voters in each state said Trump’s policies had increased the cost of living. Majorities also viewed higher tariffs on foreign goods negatively, while roughly seven in 10 said they had experienced at least some hardship from rising petrol prices.
About four in 10 voters in both states said their financial situation had worsened over the previous two years.
The findings suggest that the economy and household costs could be important factors in determining how voters approach the midterm elections.
Democrats Also Lead in Governors’ Races
The polling showed Democratic candidates ahead in the governors’ races in both states.
In Iowa, Democrat Rob Sand led Republican Zach Lahn by 51 per cent to 42 per cent. In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton led Republican Vivek Ramaswamy by 50 per cent to 42 per cent.
If those margins were maintained through election day, Democrats would win both governorships, although polls are not guarantees of final results.
The surveys also found that voters in Ohio were divided over which party should control the Senate after the elections, with 52 per cent favouring Democratic control and 48 per cent Republican control.
In Iowa, voters preferred Republican control by 53 per cent to 46 per cent, indicating that the state’s Senate race remains challenging for Democrats despite the close candidate polling.
Polls Are Not Election Results
The findings offer Democrats an opportunity to compete in states that have leaned Republican in recent presidential elections. However, the Iowa Senate contest remains within the margin of error, and voter preferences can change before election day.
The Ohio survey included 760 likely voters and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points. The Iowa survey included 801 likely voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
The November 3 elections will determine whether the current polling trends translate into actual changes in congressional representation and state leadership.
NEWS THAT INFORMS, MEDIA THAT TRANSFORMS
