Key facts
- Young men are pessimistic about the economy and are swinging away from Republicans, according to a new poll.
- Among all registered voters, the Democratic Party holds a 44% to 41% lead over Republicans.
- Young men are concerned about inflation and the cost of living, with 29% selecting it as most important for their vote.
- Housing costs and affordability were chosen by 14% of young men as most important.
- 43% of young men feel the rules in the country are set up against them, while 47% believe they are set up in their favor.
- Both the Democratic Party and Republican Party have net-negative favorability among young men.
A new poll indicates a shift among young men away from the Republican Party, driven by economic pessimism and concerns over the cost of living. While the Democratic Party holds a narrow lead among all registered voters, the sentiment among young men presents a potential challenge for Republicans aiming to maintain control of Congress.
When asked about factors influencing their vote in November, a significant portion of young men cited inflation and the cost of living (29%), followed by housing costs and affordability (14%). Policies that would make the biggest difference in their lives, according to the poll, include lowering the cost of goods, reducing housing costs, and cutting taxes.
The poll also revealed a sense of pessimism regarding their ability to achieve success, with 43% of young men feeling the rules are set up against them, compared to 47% who believe the rules favor them. This sentiment extends to their views on political institutions, as both the Democratic and Republican parties hold net-negative favorability ratings among this demographic. Vice President JD Vance has a 37% favorability rating with a -10 net favorability, while Trump has a 38% favorability rating with a -17 net favorability.