Polls Find Americans Worried About Worsening Finances

Recent polls point to widespread financial anxiety ahead of the November midterms: nearly half of Americans say they are worse off financially than when President Donald Trump returned to office, while about seven in 10 voters say their household finances have worsened over the past year. Respondents cite rising costs, especially for gasoline, groceries and health care; another survey found that half of Republicans, along with majorities of Democrats and independents, believe the country is in a recession. The pressure appears uneven, with lower-income voters more likely to report falling income, though Federal Reserve research found most adults were doing OK financially or living comfortably near the end of 2025. In Connecticut, economic concerns have not translated into an advantage for Republican gubernatorial challenger Ryan Fazio: Democrat Ned Lamont leads him, while voters’ strong disapproval of Trump appears to weigh on the GOP.