Following the midterm elections, which resulted in Democrats winning control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, a new Fox News/NORC study indicates that voters are already looking toward the 2028 presidential election with a primary focus on economic conditions. The survey reveals a divided electorate regarding the legacy of President Donald Trump, with significant partisan gaps on whether his policies or style should be emulated by his successor.
The study highlights that while economic stability remains the top concern across party lines, voters’ assessments of their personal financial situations heavily influence their optimism about the country’s future. With President Trump’s approval rating at 39%, the data suggests that a loyal bloc of voters remains influential, even as the political landscape shifts under Democratic control of Congress.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans remain largely supportive of President Trump’s policy agenda, though views on his political style are more nuanced. Nearly 4 in 10 MAGA Republicans want the next president to emulate both Trump’s policies and his style, while about half want his policies to continue regardless of the style. Non-MAGA Republicans are less enthusiastic about his style, with only about 15% wanting a successor to mirror it, though 45% still want his policies maintained.
Conservative respondents expressed a desire for substantial changes in how the country is run, though this enthusiasm has cooled slightly now that Republicans have held the White House. In the 2024 analysis, most Republicans wanted total upheaval; however, with a Republican president and previously Republican-controlled Congress, the demand for complete structural overhaul has diminished relative to Democratic sentiment.
On voting procedures and government scope, most Republicans support limiting mail voting to those physically unable to vote in person. This support is notably higher among MAGA Republicans (63%) compared to non-MAGA Republicans (40%). Furthermore, about a similar share of Republicans cited protecting individuals from government overreach as a top priority for elected officials.
What the Left Is Saying
Democrats in the survey largely reject the continuation of President Trump’s approach to the presidency. Few Democratic respondents indicated a desire for a successor who would emulate either Trump’s policies or his political style. Instead, the progressive base appears focused on breaking from the current executive trajectory.
Regarding government structure, Democrats are significantly more likely than Republicans to advocate for major reforms. Half of Democratic respondents stated that the executive branch needs improvement, and Democrats are more likely than other groups to say the Supreme Court requires reform. Additionally, Democrats expressed strong support for abolishing the Electoral College, a stance that contrasts with Republican and Independent views.
On specific policy priorities beyond the general economy, about 1 in 5 Democrats identified access to affordable healthcare as the top issue for newly elected officials to address in 2027. This reflects a continued focus on social safety nets and public health infrastructure as central Democratic planks.
What the Numbers Show
Voters across party lines identified improving economic conditions as the most important issue for the country to address over the next five years. When asked what newly elected officials should prioritize in 2027, 3 in 10 voters cited addressing grocery costs, while approximately 2 in 10 cited gas prices, healthcare, and prescription drug costs. About 1 in 10 prioritized electricity and utility costs.
Personal financial sentiment correlates strongly with national optimism. Six in 10 voters feel they are holding steady financially, while about 3 in 10 feel they are falling behind, and only 1 in 10 feel they are getting ahead. About two-thirds of those who feel they are getting ahead are optimistic about the future, whereas two-thirds of those who feel they are falling behind believe the country’s best days are in the past.
Regarding artificial intelligence, voters are divided on its economic impact over the next decade. About 4 in 10 believe AI will be harmful, while 3 in 10 expect benefits. Approximately 4 in 10 expect negative effects on the environment and the arts and entertainment industry. On structural reform, 4 in 10 of voters think Congress should be substantially reformed, including three-quarters of MAGA Republicans. Voters are closely divided on whether the country can look forward to better days or if its best days are behind it.
The Bottom Line
The study suggests that the 2028 presidential race will likely be defined by economic anxiety and a sharp partisan divide over the legacy of the Trump era. While Democrats have secured control of Congress, they face an electorate that remains deeply concerned about immediate cost-of-living issues like groceries and healthcare. Republicans, despite losing the White House and Congress, retain a strong base that favors Trump’s policies, though the appetite for radical structural change may be shifting.
Lawmakers in the new Democratic-controlled Congress will likely face pressure to address the specific economic grievances highlighted in the poll, particularly grocery and utility costs, to meet voter expectations. Meanwhile, the 2028 primary fields will need to navigate the contrasting desires of their bases: Democrats seeking reform of institutions like the Supreme Court and the Electoral College, and Republicans debating the extent to which they should adhere to Trump’s policy agenda versus his political style.