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NewsWFLA News Channel 8October 27, 2026Hillsborough County

NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll finds 40 percent of Americans report worsening personal finances ahead of midterms

Photo: WFLA News Channel 8

A new poll shows that 40 percent of Americans feel their personal family finances have declined over the past year, while inflation, rising energy costs, and the upcoming midterm elections remain major concerns. The survey also reports that 52 percent of respondents favored a Democratic congressional candidate and 42 percent favored a Republican if the election were held at that time.

EconomyElectionsInflationEnergy
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Why It Matters

The survey highlights voter economic sentiment and preferences weeks before the midterm elections, alongside specific increases in national gas and diesel prices compared to the previous year.

Key Facts

  • Forty percent of survey respondents reported that their personal family finances declined in the last 12 months.
  • Sixteen percent of respondents said their personal family finances improved, and 41 percent said they stayed about the same.
  • Fifty-two percent of respondents indicated they would cast a ballot for a Democrat for their congressional district, while 42 percent said the same for a Republican.
  • Two percent of respondents backed a third-party candidate and 1 percent were not sure.
  • The average price of a regular gallon of gas rose from about $3.05 last year to about $4.27 as of Tuesday afternoon according to AAA.
  • The average price of a gallon of diesel rose to about $6.35 as of Tuesday afternoon from $3.66 in 2025.
  • The NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll surveyed 1,289 registered voters from Oct. 19 to 20 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
  • The survey was conducted two weeks before Election Day.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationThe Hill“publisher of the article”OrganizationAAA“source for average U.S. gas and diesel prices”locationIran“location associated with a war affecting price hikes”locationStrait of Hormuz“key waterway for the oil industry that has been closed”other1,289“number of registered voters surveyed in the poll”OrganizationNPR/PBS News/Marist Poll“poll conducted among registered voters”OrganizationTrump administration“administration whose tariffs were campaigned on by Democrats”