Quinnipiac Poll: Democrats Favored for US House Control in 2018 by 11 Points

• A Quinnipiac University poll found Democrats held an 11-point lead over Republicans for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
• 49% of registered voters preferred Democrats to win the House, compared to 38% for Republicans.
• President Donald Trump received a 59% disapproval rating, including his lowest-ever approval in Quinnipiac polls for his handling of the economy, military, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Voters largely disapproved of the White House ballroom construction and overwhelmingly opposed renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'.
• Public opinion was divided on the U.S. approach to the Iran conflict, with 39% favoring negotiation alongside military presence, 30% advocating withdrawal, and 22% supporting increased operations.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll, released on a Thursday, indicates a significant preference among voters for Democrats to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll, released on a Thursday, indicates a significant preference among voters for Democrats to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The survey, conducted nationwide among 970 registered voters between September 3 and 6, found that 49% of participants expressed a desire for Democrats to win the House. In contrast, 38% favored Republicans securing control, leaving 13% undecided on the matter. This outcome positioned Democrats with an 11-point lead over Republicans concerning the upcoming congressional elections, which were two months away at the time of the poll.

Beyond the question of who should control the House, the Quinnipiac poll US House control 2018 also delved into public perception of congressional performance and party empathy. Voters generally expressed low approval for how members of either party in Congress were executing their duties, with Democrats receiving a 21% approval rating and Republicans slightly higher at 26%. Despite these low marks, a notable 46% of voters believed Democrats were more attuned to the concerns of most Americans, while 35% felt Republicans were more in touch.

Tim Malloy, a polling analyst for Quinnipiac University, commented on these findings, noting that while neither party garnered high overall approval, Democrats were perceived as more empathetic regarding voter concerns. This sentiment suggests a disconnect between voters' general approval of congressional work and their perception of which party better understands their needs.

The survey also captured broad public disapproval for President Donald Trump, with 59% of voters expressing dissatisfaction with his performance. This included his lowest approval ratings ever recorded in Quinnipiac polls for his management of the economy, his role as commander in chief of the U.S. military, and his handling of the Russia-Ukraine war. These specific areas highlight significant public concern regarding key aspects of the presidency.

Further reflecting public sentiment, six out of ten voters disapproved of the construction of a White House ballroom, a project that had received approval from the U.S. Supreme Court just the previous week. Additionally, President Trump's announcement the prior month to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' met with substantial opposition, with 70% of voters against the change. Malloy specifically mentioned that voters viewed both the ballroom and the Lake Ontario name change negatively.

The poll also examined voter opinions on the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada, characterized by reciprocal tariffs imposed by both nations. A majority of voters, 62%, opposed President Trump's approach to trade relations with Canada. Specifically, 56% believed he was being excessively tough on Canada, while 28% considered his stance to be appropriate, and only 7% felt he was not being tough enough.

Amidst the continuing conflict with Iran, the Quinnipiac poll revealed a divided electorate regarding the optimal strategy for the United States. Thirty-nine percent of voters advocated for maintaining military forces in the region while simultaneously pursuing a peace agreement. This approach suggests a preference for a diplomatic resolution supported by a military presence.

However, a significant portion of the electorate held differing views. Thirty percent of voters favored a complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces without a peace deal, indicating a desire to disengage from the conflict. Conversely, 22% of respondents called for an escalation of operations against Iran, suggesting a more aggressive stance. Malloy summarized these options, noting that while negotiation with a military presence was preferred by roughly four out of ten voters, the majority was split between full withdrawal and increased military action.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News Service