John Zogby

As the election enters October, can Democrats hold their momentum, or will an unexpected event flip key battleground races? In this episode of Real Polling in Real Time, veteran pollster John Zogby and Jeremy Zogby break down historical “October Surprises” and analyze the latest battleground Senate and gubernatorial polling. They explore key campaign dynamics, including Republican candidates distancing themselves from national strategy, surprising shifts in states like Iowa, and why focusing on local district issues like affordability matters far more than national talking points.

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The post Is It The Democrats’ Election to Lose? – 10.05.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

In this special September 21st edition of Real Polling in Real Time, we examine why national media predictions and betting markets claiming a “blue wave” midterm sweep might be getting ahead of themselves. Despite low approval ratings for the administration and record-breaking gas prices—with California averages exceeding $8/gallon and diesel approaching $7—our fresh polling shows the Democratic lead in the generic congressional ballot has narrowed from 9 points down to 6.

We break down the deep messaging flaws on both sides of the aisle: how Democrats are struggling to articulate a positive national platform beyond “Trump is a disaster,” and how Republican messaging around crime and anti-socialism is surprisingly beginning to hit home with moderate voters.

In this episode:

Should the Betting Markets Hold Their Horses?: Why we believe aggregators and prediction platforms like Polymarket are overestimating a Democratic sweep, and why casual gamblers are distorting the odds.

Presidential Approval & Economic Reality: Our breakdown of the president’s 42% overall approval rating, brutal economic marks (38% approve), and the severe strain of diesel approaching $7/gallon on everyday truckers and supply chains.

Expanding War in Iran: The domestic fallout of the escalating Middle East conflict, unfulfilled promises that war and inflation would end by August, and growing threats to regional pipelines.

The Democratic Messaging Void: Our critique of party leadership’s lack of a clear national vision on affordability beyond holding “utility town halls,” and why avoiding major issues is leaving voters dissatisfied.

Local Issues Shaping the Midterms: How crime messaging and localized debates over AI and data centers are quietly influencing voters as we head into the high-stakes final stretch.

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The post Should The Betting Markets Hold Their Horses? – 09.21.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

With roughly 40 days to go until the midterms, prediction markets favor a Democratic sweep—but fresh data from the latest Zogby poll suggests the race is tightening.

Today, we’ll break down the numbers from over 1,000 likely voters, analyzing why a simple Democratic victory is far from guaranteed.  We’ll cover:

The Shrinking Generic Ballot: How a 9-point Democratic lead narrowed to 6 points.   

Voter Turnout & Independent Surge: The surge in Republican enthusiasm and where independent voters stand.   

Key Issues directly impacting the outcome: Why Democrats lead on 7 out of 9 core issues, while Republicans hold the line on crime and immigration—and how hyper-local battles like data centers could swing votes.   

Economic & Messaging Pressures: The impact of rising fuel costs, global volatility, and the growing effectiveness of anti-socialism messaging.   

Tune in for an unvarnished, data-driven look at the shifting midterm landscape. We’ll have much more on this data next week so make sure you’re subscribed wherever you get your podcasts.

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The post New Polling Data and Midterms Shift: Is the Enthusiasm Gap Closing? 09.18.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

On this special September 11th edition marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, John and Jeremy Zogby reflect on the heroes and long-term impacts of that tragic day before diving into the high-stakes political environment shaping the 2026 midterm elections. From record-breaking $4.22/gallon gas prices and rising 3.4% inflation to the escalating war in Iran, the Zogbys analyze how broken promises are squeezing everyday Americans. They break down the tactical missteps of both parties: how Republicans are navigating a president making $5,000 promise checks while insisting on making the midterms all about himself, and how Democrats are caught in a bitter, internal “left vs. center” civil war over Medicare for All, Gaza, and party leadership.

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The post The Race to the Bottom – 09.11.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

Today we have some real polling in real time and are going where no other pollsters are going. We wanted to find out just how powerful the Democratic Socialists and MAGA are vs the establishment wings of both parties…and the data is fascinating.

Today we’ll share the latest numbers and ask the question: “Who would you NEVER vote for?” We’ll analyze independent voter sentiment, approval ratings, and the challenges both parties face as the election approaches. And of course we’ll share exclusive numbers around what independent voters are thinking as we approach the midterms.

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The post New Polling: Who Would You Never Vote For? – 08.28.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

At this point in Trump’s 2nd term, is time to ask if this a failed Presidency? Every way he turns on the conflict in Iran there is no good option or exit. Combine that with runaway inflation, lack of consumer confidence and a $40 Trillion national debt, and the polls are reflecting voters’ discontent. What Trump is talking about are things that the average American does not care about such as the ballroom and a helipad. Is there anything he can do to salvage this presidency and how will it be viewed in the context of history.

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The post Is the Trump Presidency Salvageable? – 08.21.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

The post Democratic Socialist 45%, MAGA Republican 33% —Startling New Poll appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

In this edition of Real Polling in Real Time, John Zogby and Jeremy Zogby break down brand-new, exclusive national polling data. The latest numbers reveal a notable shift in public sentiment, with President Trump’s approval rating dropping to a low of 38% overall and major slippage occurring across critical issues like the war in Iran, affordability, foreign policy, and crime. John and Jeremy analyze what this means for the upcoming midterms, including an 11-point lead for Democrats on the congressional generic ballot, key party enthusiasm gaps, and how independent voters are currently splitting on core policy issues.

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The post New Definitive Zogby Poll – Abysmal Trump/MAGA Numbers Spells Major Trouble for Midterm Prospects – 08.06.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

Today we’ll dive into the newest national polling to examine President Trump’s approval ratings, the shifting political landscape, and the Senate races that could determine control of Congress.

Most recent polling averages show the President at just 38% approval across the last 12 surveys—an all-time low for his presidency. On the issue of the war in Iran, approval drops further to just 27%, underscoring growing public concern over foreign policy. Even within parts of the MAGA base, there are signs of softening enthusiasm, with some supporters acknowledging that he no longer commands the same level of intensity or loyalty he once did.

At the same time, the congressional generic ballot shows Democrats leading by about 5%, with the last two national polls showing an even wider advantage. But the key question remains: how does this translate into actual races on the ground?

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The post Election Polling Update: Are Independent Voters Shifting Again? – 07.31.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.

With 100 days until the midterms, let’s look at the issues facing both parties, which provide challenges for each of the parties. President Trump’s approval is around 40%, his Iran war handling is 29%, and his economy/affordability ratings are about 30–31%, alongside expanding regional conflict threatening the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. Polling shows Democrats leading the generic congressional vote (RealClearPolitics about +5.4; an Emerson poll cited at +11, and another at 53–42). However, they argue Democrats face major vulnerabilities, including finances (about $13M cash and $16M debt) and a near 50/50 split between establishment leaders and Democratic socialists, intensified by figures like James Carville labeling socialists “communists.” Let’s asses the landscape and offer some context as to what’s happening and what could change between now and November.

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The post 100 Days Until Midterms – 07.26.26 appeared first on John Zogby Strategies.