As party primaries accelerate ahead of the fall battle for control of Congress, voters in both parties say they are prioritizing ideological alignment over electability when choosing candidates, according to a new national NBC News poll.
The survey asked primary voters whether they prefer a candidate who comes closest to their views on issues or one who has the best chance to win in November. Seven in 10 Republican primary voters prefer a candidate closest to their views, while only 27% prioritize general election viability. Democratic primary voters were more evenly split: 56% prefer ideological alignment while 42% prioritize electability.
The poll, conducted by the Democratic polling firm Hart Research Associates and the GOP firm Public Opinion Strategies, surveyed 1,000 registered voters Feb. 27-March 3 via telephone and online methods.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican primary voters expressed strong preference for candidates who share their values, viewing ideological alignment as a matter of principle rather than strategic calculation.
"At the end of the day, our vote is one of the best and only ways we can speak as Americans," said Coy, a 21-year-old Indiana Republican who declined to share his last name. "If you're wanting something to get done the way you want it to be done, then you need to stick with your own pack and pick the candidate who is best for you."
The poll shows Republicans who control both Congress and the White House are broadly satisfied with their party's direction. Tina Goldstrom, a 47-year-old Florida voter, said she looks at the Republican Party primarily through the lens of Trump, whose 2016 candidacy compelled her to vote for the first time. "I didn't get into politics until 2016 — and I kind of wish I hadn't gotten into it. But I think things needed to be shaken up," she said.
Goldstrom added that she believes Republicans in Washington are representing her well, primarily because of her support for Trump's agenda and his administration appointments. She pointed to Vice President JD Vance as a potential future standard bearer who could "step into those shoes and keep it going."
The shift toward prioritizing ideology marks a change from previous cycles. In June 2023, when NBC News asked GOP primary voters a similar question, 56% preferred issue alignment while 39% favored a candidate who could defeat then-President Joe Biden.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voters and some Democrats expressed frustration with what they described as the party's poor track record in evaluating electable candidates, arguing that party leadership has historically favored establishment figures over more diverse candidates.
"I think that the Democratic Party has done an incredibly poor job evaluating which candidates have the best chance of winning," said Scott Damery, a 27-year-old Wisconsin voter backing state Rep. Francesca Hong in the state's Democratic gubernatorial primary. Damery suggested party leadership has used electability to elevate "straight, white guys" as opposed to candidates of different races or gender identities.
Marley Ross, a 25-year-old California Democrat and self-described progressive, said she struggles with the ideological versus electability question. "I want someone who's close to my views, but I know that my views are not the most electable in the state," she said. "I'm tired of having to go with candidates purely on electability, but it feels like once again that's where we're stuck."
Some Democratic voters said they haven't seen enough fight from Democrats in Washington. "I feel like they're not taking much of a stand. I feel like they're not punching back," said Jennifer Norkol, a 54-year-old Michigan Democrat. "I just feel that we're all about strongly worded letters and complaining to cameras, but no feasible action is being done consistently."
The poll found 62% of Democrats view their party positively, compared to 77% of Republicans who view the GOP positively. Some Democratic voters pointed to this internal dissatisfaction as a reason to prioritize ideological purity over backing candidates deemed more electable by party leaders.
What the Numbers Show
The NBC News poll reveals historically low ratings for both major parties among registered voters. Thirty percent view the Democratic Party positively, compared to 52% who view it negatively. The Republican Party fares slightly better but remains underwater: 37% positive versus 51% negative.
Independents express particularly low enthusiasm for both parties. Just 13% view the Democratic Party positively, while 16% view the Republican Party positively — both far below majority thresholds.
The divide between partisan voters and independents is stark: 62% of Democrats view their party positively, while 77% of Republicans hold positive views of the GOP. Among potential future leaders tested in the poll, Vice President JD Vance has a 38% positive and 49% negative rating overall, though 77% of Republicans view him favorably.
For Secretary of State Marco Rubio, 34% of registered voters view him positively while 41% view him negatively. Two-thirds of Republicans view Rubio favorably, while three-quarters of Democrats view him unfavorably.
Among potential Democratic standard-bearers, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a 31% positive and 42% negative rating overall, though nearly two-thirds of Democrats view her positively. Former Vice President Kamala Harris has a 34% positive and 51% negative rating, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom sits at 27% positive and 45% negative.
The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters Feb. 27-March 3 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Smaller subgroups carry larger margins: Democratic primary voters at plus or minus 5.1 percentage points and Republican primary voters at plus or minus 5.5 percentage points.
The Bottom Line
The poll findings suggest that as primaries unfold, candidates who emphasize ideological purity may have an advantage over those who run on general election viability — particularly in Republican contests. This dynamic could shape competitive Senate and House races across the country.
The data also reveals a party in internal tension: Democrats are more divided on the electability question, with many progressive voters expressing distrust of party establishment judgments about who can win. Republicans, controlling both Congress and the White House, show stronger internal cohesion despite lower marks from the general electorate.
Both parties face challenges with independent voters, a critical swing bloc in competitive districts. With the fall election approaching, how each party navigates the tension between ideological purity and broader electoral appeal could determine control of Congress.