Final-weekend pitches center on prices as polls show deep unhappiness with the economy

With the midterm election set for Tuesday, candidates in both parties are ending their campaigns on the same subject: what things cost. We relied on a National News Desk report from Oct. 27 and an AP-NORC poll from mid-October. ¹²

What voters say

The AP-NORC poll, run by The Associated Press and the University of Chicago's research center, found 36% of voters approve of Trump's job performance and 64% disapprove. ² On the economy, 74% disapprove of his handling. On the cost of living, 79% disapprove. ²

Among Republicans, 54% approve of his handling of the economy and 44% approve on the cost of living. ² Overall, 85% called the economy one of the most important issues, and 84% said the same of the cost of living. ²

A Reuters/Ipsos poll cited in the Oct. 27 report found 20% approve of Trump's handling of the cost of living and 25% approve of his handling of the economy overall. ¹

From Channel GOPEl-Sayed puts a price on tariffs and warAbdul El-Sayed · 164 plays · captioned, with the source named

Trump defends tariffs

At a Monday rally in Mississippi for Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Trump defended his tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods. He credited them for foreign investment, including a new Audi plant in Georgia. The company said production is expected to start in the early 2030s. ¹

He pushed back on criticism that his economic agenda has pushed up prices, saying tariffs mean "they're keeping our companies here." ¹³

Some Republicans break away

Some Republicans in close races are distancing themselves from parts of that agenda. Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, who faces Democrat Cait Conley, said of tariffs: "Long-term use of tariffs, I don't support." ¹

Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, who is slightly ahead of Democrat Josh Turek but within the margin of error, once backed the Iran war. She now cites its economic effects and told ABC News, "I do think the war needs to come to an end." ¹

Democrats focus on affordability

Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia is running against Rep. Mike Collins on the cost of living and corruption. RealClearPolitics shows him leading every major poll since June. ¹

In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has made grocery prices part of his pitch. At a Detroit rally with former President Barack Obama, he said, "it shouldn't be this hard to afford a second bag of groceries." ¹ Polls in Michigan and in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is running, show extremely close races. ¹

What happens next

Voters decide Tuesday. Asked how he would work with Democrats if they win control of the House or Senate, Trump said, "We'll figure a way." ¹

That matters because the numbers show frustration across party lines. In the AP-NORC poll, 33% of voters want "complete upheaval" and 47% want "substantial change." ² The pattern is plain: when voters feel squeezed, the party that holds power usually pays for it.

The Record

1. Oct 15, 2026AP-NORC poll finds 36% approve of Trump and 79% disapprove of his handling of the cost of living ²
2. Oct 26, 2026Trump defends tariffs at a Mississippi rally for Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith ¹
3. Oct 27, 2026Reuters/Ipsos poll cited: 20% approve of Trump on the cost of living ¹

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<h2>Final-weekend pitches center on prices as polls show deep unhappiness with the economy</h2> <p><em>By The GOP Files Campaign Desk. This article first appeared on <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/final-weekend-pitches-center-on-prices-as-polls-show-deep-unhappiness-with-the-economy">The GOP Files</a> on Saturday, October 31, 2026.</em></p> <p>With the midterm election set for Tuesday, candidates in both parties are ending their campaigns on the same subject: what things cost. We relied on a National News Desk report from Oct. 27 and an AP-NORC poll from mid-October.</p> <h2>What voters say</h2> <p>The AP-NORC poll, run by The Associated Press and the University of Chicago&#39;s research center, found 36% of voters approve of Trump&#39;s job performance and 64% disapprove. On the economy, 74% disapprove of his handling. On the cost of living, 79% disapprove.</p> <p>Among Republicans, 54% approve of his handling of the economy and 44% approve on the cost of living. Overall, 85% called the economy one of the most important issues, and 84% said the same of the cost of living.</p> <p>A Reuters/Ipsos poll cited in the Oct. 27 report found 20% approve of Trump&#39;s handling of the cost of living and 25% approve of his handling of the economy overall.</p> <h2>Trump defends tariffs</h2> <p>At a Monday rally in Mississippi for Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Trump defended his tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods. He credited them for foreign investment, including a new Audi plant in Georgia. The company said production is expected to start in the early 2030s.</p> <p>He pushed back on criticism that his economic agenda has pushed up prices, saying tariffs mean &quot;they&#39;re keeping our companies here.&quot;</p> <h2>Some Republicans break away</h2> <p>Some Republicans in close races are distancing themselves from parts of that agenda. Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, who faces Democrat Cait Conley, said of tariffs: &quot;Long-term use of tariffs, I don&#39;t support.&quot;</p> <p>Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, who is slightly ahead of Democrat Josh Turek but within the margin of error, once backed the Iran war. She now cites its economic effects and told ABC News, &quot;I do think the war needs to come to an end.&quot;</p> <h2>Democrats focus on affordability</h2> <p>Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia is running against Rep. Mike Collins on the cost of living and corruption. RealClearPolitics shows him leading every major poll since June.</p> <p>In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has made grocery prices part of his pitch. At a Detroit rally with former President Barack Obama, he said, &quot;it shouldn&#39;t be this hard to afford a second bag of groceries.&quot; Polls in Michigan and in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is running, show extremely close races.</p> <h2>What happens next</h2> <p>Voters decide Tuesday. Asked how he would work with Democrats if they win control of the House or Senate, Trump said, &quot;We&#39;ll figure a way.&quot;</p> <p>That matters because the numbers show frustration across party lines. In the AP-NORC poll, 33% of voters want &quot;complete upheaval&quot; and 47% want &quot;substantial change.&quot; The pattern is plain: when voters feel squeezed, the party that holds power usually pays for it.</p> <p><em>Read the original, with every source linked, at <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/final-weekend-pitches-center-on-prices-as-polls-show-deep-unhappiness-with-the-economy">thegopfiles.com</a>. Republished under The GOP Files' <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/republish">free republishing terms</a>.</em></p> <img src="https://thegopfiles.com/api/rp/final-weekend-pitches-center-on-prices-as-polls-show-deep-unhappiness-with-the-economy.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border:0;width:1px;height:1px">

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Sources

1. The National News Desk (WEAR-TV), “Candidates make closing arguments all about cost of living” (2026-10-27). weartv.com/news/nation-world/candidates-make-closing-argumen
2. AP (via FOX 13 Tampa Bay), “Voters on both sides of the aisle want change, new poll on eve of 2026 midterm finds” (2026-10-15). fox13news.com/news/voters-both-sides-aisle-want-change-new-p
3. The National News Desk (WEAR-TV), “Candidates make closing arguments all about cost of living” (2026-10-27). weartv.com/news/nation-world/candidates-make-closing-argumen

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