Democratic Party popularity plummets to 35-year low in recent polls, raising serious questions about the party’s direction as Republican confidence surges ahead of crucial midterm elections.
Quick Takes
- Democratic Party hits record low with just 27% of registered voters holding positive views, the worst rating since NBC began polling in 1990
- Confidence in Democratic congressional leadership has collapsed to 25%, while Republican leadership enjoys 39% confidence
- Democratic voters have shifted dramatically from supporting compromise (59% in 2017) to preferring confrontation with Trump (65% now)
- Independent voters view Democrats extremely negatively, with only 11% holding positive opinions
- Democrats’ own base confidence has plummeted 41 points in just one year
Historic Decline in Democratic Party Support
The Democratic Party is facing an unprecedented crisis of confidence according to multiple national polls. With only 27% of registered voters holding positive views of the party in the latest NBC News survey, Democrats have reached their lowest approval rating since polling began in 1990. This historic decline follows the party’s loss of both the White House and Senate, leaving many questioning their effectiveness and direction. The negative sentiment extends beyond opponents, with a majority of all voters (55%) now expressing negative views of the Democratic Party, including 38% who report “very negative” opinions.
Particularly alarming for Democratic strategists is the collapse in support among independent voters – a critical bloc for any party hoping to win national elections. Only 11% of independents now view the Democratic Party positively, presenting a massive obstacle to regaining congressional majorities in upcoming elections. This dismal performance among swing voters suggests deeper problems beyond typical partisan divides and points to fundamental issues with messaging, policy priorities, or perceived competence.
Confidence in Congressional Democrats hits all time low in new poll https://t.co/SInkRNAkqn
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 18, 2025
Base Revolt Against Democratic Leadership
Perhaps most troubling for party leaders is the collapse in confidence among their own supporters. According to the Gallup poll, Democratic congressional leaders have experienced a staggering 41-point drop in approval within their own party since last year. This suggests that core Democratic voters, not just independents or Republicans, are deeply dissatisfied with their leadership’s performance. Many base voters appear frustrated by what they perceive as ineffective opposition to President Trump’s agenda since his return to office.
“With these numbers, the Democratic Party is not in need of a rebrand. It needs to be rebooted,” said Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt.
The Democratic base has undergone a remarkable shift in attitude toward compromise. In 2017, during Trump’s first term, 59% of Democrats favored finding common ground with the president. Today, that sentiment has completely reversed, with 65% now preferring their representatives stand firm on principles even if it leads to legislative gridlock. This dramatic swing reflects deeper debates within the party about whether engagement with Trump legitimizes his agenda or provides necessary checks on his power.
Republican Ascendancy and Midterm Implications
While Democrats struggle, Republican congressional leadership now enjoys 39% confidence among voters – not stellar, but substantially higher than Democrats’ 25% and an improvement from their previous low of 24% in 2014. This 14-point advantage provides Republicans significant momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Despite these troubling indicators for Democrats, the battle for congressional control remains competitive, with current polling showing 48% favoring Democrats versus 47% for Republicans in a generic ballot test.
Democratic lawmakers appear divided on the best approach moving forward. Representative Pete Aguilar expressed concern about any perception of cooperation with Trump, stating, “When Donald Trump wakes up in the morning and says, ‘You’re doing the right things, Senate Democrats’ — we don’t feel that is the right place to be.” Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna argued Democrats must actively counter Trump’s arguments rather than simply oppose them, suggesting the party needs a more substantive response to regain voter confidence and effectively challenge the Republican agenda.
A Reckoning for Democratic Strategy
The collapse in Democratic Party support represents more than just a typical post-election dip. With the party hitting all-time lows across multiple polls from NBC News, CNN, Quinnipiac University, and Gallup, Democratic leaders face a moment of profound reckoning. Their declining popularity crosses demographic groups and includes substantial erosion among traditionally reliable Democratic constituencies. This suggests fundamental problems with the party’s messaging, priorities, or perceived effectiveness in addressing voter concerns.
As the 2026 midterm elections emerge on the horizon, these numbers signal potential trouble for Democrats’ hopes of reclaiming congressional majorities. Unless party leaders can address the root causes of voter dissatisfaction, rebuild credibility with independents, and reignite enthusiasm among their base, Republicans appear positioned to maintain or even expand their current advantages. The next 18 months will prove critical as Democrats determine whether to double down on resistance to Trump or recalibrate their approach to better connect with voter priorities.
