Two new national polls released Sunday show the Democratic Party’s popularity has fallen to its lowest point in decades. The drop comes after the party’s significant losses in the 2024 election, where it lost control of the White House and Senate.
An NBC News poll found only 27% of registered voters view the Democratic Party favorably... the lowest score in NBC polling since 1990. Just 7% of respondents said they have a “very positive” view of the party.
A separate CNN poll also reported low numbers, with 29% of voters saying they had a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party. That’s the lowest in CNN’s surveys since 1992. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 63% still said they had a positive view of the party.
Internal Frustration Grows Within the Party
The disappointing poll results come amid rising tension within the Democratic Party. Lawmakers in Congress have been at odds over how to respond to Republican-led policies, especially as they worked to prevent a government shutdown last week.
When the House passed a Republican-backed plan to keep the government open, Senate Democrats faced a tough decision: vote to support the plan and avoid a shutdown, or oppose it and risk leaving thousands of workers without pay.
In the end, ten Senate Democrats joined most Republicans to pass the funding bill. One of those Democrats was Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who faced heavy criticism from fellow Democrats over his support.
Debate Over Party Leadership and Direction
Some Democrats are now questioning whether Schumer should continue as the party’s leader. But others say the party needs unity more than ever. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, who voted against the bill, called for Democrats to stop arguing among themselves.
"We’re in a fight for our democracy,” Whitehouse said in an interview. “If we’re fighting among ourselves, we’re not focused on stopping the other side.”
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, another Democrat who voted “no” on the bill, said he understood why some colleagues chose to avoid a shutdown. But he also said Democrats need to show more strength in their opposition to Republican actions.
"People want to see Democrats fighting hard," Murphy told NBC. "Even if a shutdown would have been tough, it would have sent a clear message that we won’t be pushed around."
Democratic Voters Want Stronger Pushback
The CNN poll found that 57% of Democrats and Democratic-aligned independents think party leaders should focus on stopping the Republican agenda. Meanwhile, 42% said they want to see more cooperation between the two parties.
In the NBC poll, 65% of Democratic voters said they want the party to stick to its core values, even if that means progress is slow in Washington. Only 32% said they prefer Democrats to work with President Trump to reach common ground on legislation.
Poll Results Reflect a Divided Base
The results suggest a split within the party between those who want a stronger stance against Republicans and those who want compromise. But with overall favorability numbers at historic lows, party leaders face pressure to find a way forward that energizes voters and rebuilds support.
Political experts say the numbers highlight the need for Democrats to reconnect with voters and communicate a clearer message. After losing key positions in 2024, the party must find a strategy that balances resistance with practical policy wins.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Democratic leaders are expected to adjust their strategies to address voter concerns. Whether through stronger opposition or a focus on unity, the path forward remains a key topic of debate among party officials.
For now, the polls are a warning sign that voters want more action... and less division from Democratic leaders.
Keywords: Democratic Party polls, Democrat approval rating, NBC News poll, CNN poll, Democratic leadership, government funding, Chuck Schumer, Senate Democrats, 2024 election results