OpenCampaign

Defense

Foreign Policy & Military Spending

Foreign policy is increasingly on the ballot in 2026, with voters nearly evenly split between the two parties on military force and foreign affairs. Pew data shows Republicans hold only a +1 edge on military force policy. Decisions about foreign aid, defense budgets, and U.S. global commitments have direct implications for Arkansas's significant defense sector, including Little Rock Air Force Base.

Should the U.S. increase defense spending, and how should Arkansas's delegation vote on military and foreign aid budgets?

How OpenCampaign quiz-takers stand on this issue

29% call it a high-priority issue (rating it 7+ out of 10).

  1. Liberal21%
  2. Lean liberal17%
  3. Moderate34%
  4. Lean conservative15%
  5. Conservative13%

High-priority share over time

37%201631%201726%201926%202032%202129%202229%202324%202428%202533%2026

The high-priority share has ranged 24–37% since 2016. Election-year cohorts skew casual and under-rate every issue, so the dips around 2020 and 2024 partly reflect who took the quiz, not a shift in opinion. Updated 21 Sep 2026.

Where do you stand?

Should the U.S. increase defense spending, and how should Arkansas's delegation vote on military and foreign aid budgets?

How important is this to you?

Sources

Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/07/23/as-the-2026-midterms-approach-economy-is-front-and-center
Policies related to the use of military force: 35% say the Democratic Party, 36% say the Republican Party — R+1 advantage.
U.S. Department of State — https://2021-2025.state.gov/policy-issues
We work to counter threats to the United States and the international order caused by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Cut defense spending and redirect funds to domestic needs; oppose military aid to foreign conflicts.
  2. Maintain current defense funding, prioritize diplomacy, and apply strict oversight to foreign military aid.
  3. Support steady defense investment focused on readiness while reviewing foreign aid on a case-by-case basis.
  4. Increase defense spending and fully fund military aid to key allies as a deterrent to adversaries.
  5. Maximize defense spending and use military force as the primary tool for projecting U.S. global power.