Economy and cost of living
National polling heading into the 2026 midterms shows the economy, prices, and affordability as the top issues voters want congressional candidates to address. Americans broadly expect challenging conditions on prosperity, prices, unemployment, and taxes, making economic management a central state and federal concern that affects Iowa voters and policymakers.
How should Iowa and its representatives prioritize economic and cost-of-living concerns heading into 2026?
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
Sources
Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/07/23/as-the-2026-midterms-approach-economy-is-front-and-center
By a wide margin, voters most want candidates running for Congress to talk about economic issues – with many specifically mentioning prices and affordability.
Gallup — https://news.gallup.com/poll/700448/americans-predict-challenging-2026-across-dimensions.aspx
Americans are most pessimistic about political cooperation, international disputes, China’s power in the world, the federal budget deficit and economic prosperity. Clear majorities also expect rising unemployment, taxes, prices and crime rates.
Yale Program on Climate Change Communication — https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/top-public-worries-in-the-u-s
Government corruption, the cost of living, and concerns about the economy rank as top worries across most political groups.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Expand government spending and subsidies to directly lower household costs and boost wages
- Increase targeted aid and public investment while keeping strong consumer protections
- Balance targeted relief with fiscal restraint and monitor prices closely
- Cut regulations and taxes to spur growth, letting markets bring prices down
- Slash government spending and taxes sharply to reduce inflation and debt immediately