New survey identifies voters’ mistrust of political parties
By Terri Dee • Indiana News Service
Political pundits paint Indiana as a traditionally red state but Hoosiers and much of the nation are focusing on another color: green.
Consumers said they remain burdened by high grocery, housing and healthcare costs, and worry about paying their home heating bills as winter approaches. A Navigator Research survey from September revealed 60% of Americans want President Donald Trump and Congress’ unwavering attention on affordability and lowering common expenses.
Chris Fleming, spokesperson for the group Americans for Affordability, said people are just trying to stay afloat.
“Everyone is talking about how expensive things are and how they’re having to make choices on whether or not they’re going to buy a certain meal for dinner or are they going to put gas in their car all the way,” Fleming observed.
The survey showed Americans’ dwindling faith in the rollout of Trump’s 2024 campaign pledges to enrich consumers through tariffs and tax cuts. Respondents said one reason behind the lack of confidence is last year’s federal mega-bill and associated cuts to social programs, along with a less than ideal environment for jobs and the economy. The Indiana Business Review reported the state’s labor force grew less than 1% this year and unemployment could reach 4.5% next year.
In Indiana, one candidate is looking to change political history. Democrat Beau Bayh is running to become the next Indiana secretary of state, an office Republicans have held since 1994.
Tina Tang, director of polling and analytics for Navigator Research, explained what is holding people back from fully embracing change.
“The top reason was actually they don’t trust Democrats to deliver, or there’s not enough information yet on the agenda,” Tang explained. “Some of the top pieces of opposition here isn’t necessarily because 16% of Americans are opposed to lowering costs, it’s that they don’t trust leadership to be able to deliver this agenda.”
Among poll respondents, 73% support Democrats’ affordability agenda, while 25% oppose it or are unsure. Despite widespread support for Democrats’ affordability agenda, only around 54% said they believe there is a chance it will be implemented in the next few years. Despite Democrats’ trust advantage on costs, the poll noted many people’s distrust of either political party could be a hindrance to party dominance.
