OpenCampaign

Economy

Economy and cost of living

National polling and midterm coverage identify the economy as a leading 2026 issue for voters and for states managing budgets and household pressures. Coverage notes weak public perceptions of economic conditions, debates over inflation and cost of living, and party competition over economic policy heading into the midterms—pressures that affect state governments and residents in places like North Dakota as federal and state policy choices intersect with local prices and growth.

How should North Dakota prioritize economic and cost-of-living policy heading into and after 2026?

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
As the 2026 Midterms Approach, Economy Is Front and Center... Americans are now almost evenly split over which party they most agree with on economic policies: 37% say the Democratic Party, while 36% say the Republican Party.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/question/What-are-key-issues-in-the-2026-midterms
Key issues in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections include the economy and immigration, which have traditionally been strong issues for Pres. Donald Trump.
CBS News senior White House correspondent Ed O'Keefe — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsdBO83yv1Q
have a really poor perception of the economy. It's why you've seen the president spend so much time this year blaming the Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell and former President Biden for economic policies
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Expand state aid, raise wages standards, and tax higher earners more to directly cut household costs
  2. Increase targeted relief and public investment while keeping moderate taxes on business growth
  3. Balance limited cost-of-living relief with fiscal restraint and targeted economic development
  4. Cut regulations and taxes first so private growth lowers prices without major new spending
  5. Minimize state economic intervention, sharply cut spending and taxes, and rely on markets alone