Democrats have widened their lead on the generic congressional ballot, and President Donald Trump’s job approval has fallen to a new low in his second term, according to a national Marquette Law School Poll released Wednesday.
Among likely voters, 54% said they would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district if the November election were held today, compared with 41% who preferred the Republican. That 13-point gap is larger than the 6-point Democratic edge in July, when the figures were 51% to 45%.
Registered voters also gave Democrats a clearer advantage, 50% to 42%. In July the two parties were nearly even among registered voters, 46% to 44%.
Trump’s overall job approval stood at 37%, with 63% disapproving. That is down from 40% approval in July and below the previous second-term low of 38% recorded in May and June. Strong disapproval rose to 47%.
Among likely voters, 54% said they would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district if the November election were held today, compared with 41% who preferred the Republican. That 13-point gap is larger than the 6-point Democratic edge in July, when the figures were 51% to 45%.
Voters were especially critical of Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living, with only 19% approving. Approval was 28% on the economy and 26% on the war with Iran. Border security remained his strongest issue, at 49% approval.
Inflation and the cost of living topped the list of most important issues, named by 37% of adults. The economy followed at 16%, and the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States at 10%.
Adults said Democrats would do a better job than Republicans on the economy, inflation, Medicare and Social Security, and health care. Republicans were seen as stronger on national defense, crime, and immigration and border security. The parties were tied on taxes.
Both parties in Congress received 36% approval and 64% disapproval. Republican congressional approval has fallen from 45% in March 2025, while Democratic approval has risen from 29% over the same period.
The survey was conducted Sept. 2-9 among 1,023 adults nationwide, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. The registered-voter sample of 864 has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 points. The likely-voter sample of 581 has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 points.
