Key facts
- Two percent of voters in NBC's preliminary exit polls rated the economy as in excellent condition.
- Fifty-nine percent of voters said they were very concerned about the cost of gas, and 88% were very or somewhat concerned about grocery costs.
- Eighty-nine percent of voters called the cost of living a crucial or major factor in choosing a candidate.
- A Gallup poll of registered voters conducted October 1 to 19 found half said the economy was extremely important to their vote.
- In a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll conducted October 24 to 26, 38% named price increases, inflation and affordability as the most important issue facing the country.
- Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton said before the election that every Texan should be able to buy a home and raise a family without struggling.
Democrats flipped key seats and were projected to gain majorities in both the House and Senate in the US midterm elections held on November 3, with affordability concerns ranking as a leading factor for voters in preliminary exit polls.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries, who will likely become Speaker of the House in January, said in a Tuesday night speech that House Democrats are committed to fighting for an affordable America and would work to lower the cost of housing, groceries and gas.
NBC's early exit poll results, which the outlet said are tentative and will be updated as vote tallies continue, found that 2% of voters rated the economy as excellent, 59% were very concerned about the cost of gas and 88% were very or somewhat concerned about grocery costs. Eighty-nine percent called the cost of living a crucial or major factor in choosing a candidate, and the largest share named the economy as the most important issue facing the country.
A pre-election Gallup poll of registered voters conducted October 1 to 19 found half said the economy was extremely important to their vote and 37% said it was very important. A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll conducted October 24 to 26 found 38% of respondents named price increases, inflation and affordability as the most important issue facing the country, the highest share among issues, and 40% of likely midterm voters agreed.
Senator Jon Ossoff, who won reelection on Tuesday night, said in his victory speech that families are working harder while bills rise, and that homeownership is a fantasy for too many and health care has never cost more. James Talarico, the Democratic Senator-elect in Texas, said his win was for teachers, nurses, farmers, ranchers, young people trying to buy a home and parents putting food on the table.
Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate candidate in Texas, said before the election that every Texan should be able to buy a home, raise a family and live a healthy life without struggling to make ends meet. In Maine, Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democratic opponent Troy Jackson both spoke about the impact of tariffs on costs for local products.