A new poll shows Democrats holding a wide lead over Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The survey points to growing vulnerabilities for the Republican Party.
President Trump’s standing has slipped among key voter groups, according to the Times/Siena poll. That decline is reshaping the race for control of Congress.
Republicans still benefit from a favorable electoral map. District lines and state-level advantages give the party a structural edge in many races.
Those advantages are being eroded by fissures within the Republican base. Internal divides are complicating efforts to defend House and Senate seats.
Democratic candidates have seized on the shifting numbers. The party is working to convert voter discontent into wins in competitive districts.
The poll highlights the stakes of the midterms for both parties. Control of Congress will shape the legislative agenda for the next two years.
Analysts caution that polling months before an election can shift. The map remains a major factor that could offset Democratic momentum.
Voters will have the final say on election day. Early indications suggest a competitive landscape with neither party assured of victory.
