Voters cite inflation, economy ahead of 2026 midterms

Inflation and the cost of living are emerging as major concerns ahead of the midterm elections, topping a New Mexico poll and featuring prominently in accounts from early voters in Ohio and Latino voters in Pennsylvania. In New Mexico, a third of surveyed voters named inflation as the issue most likely to shape their vote, ahead of immigration and border security; separate polling showed Sen. Ben Ray Luján leading Republican Larry Marker and Democrat Deb Haaland leading Gregg Hull 47% to 41% in the governor’s race. Luján cited high fuel prices and pressure on families, farmers and ranchers, and backed restoring Medicaid funding and Affordable Care Act premium tax credits as ways to ease health-care costs. Ohio voters described high grocery and living costs, along with dissatisfaction with the country’s direction, as reasons to vote early. In Allentown, some Latino voters voiced concern about prices and the economy, while others described their finances as stable; an NBC News poll found 69% disapproved of President Trump’s performance and 78% disapproved of his handling of the cost of living. Another NBC News segment likewise identified inflation and the economy as leading issues for Latino voters.