Americans turn against socialism in last months before midterm election: Poll

More voters are becoming leery of socialism, as Republicans have worked to paint the system in a negative light ahead of the midterm elections, according to a new poll.President Donald Trump and other top GOP figures have warned throughout the election cycle that socialists are gaining increasing power in the Democratic Party, a development they say could “tear down the American system.” The 2026 elections are “different,” House Majority Leader Mike Johnson (R-LA) alerted on Friday, arguing that the rising socialist movement could “end the free market system” if Democrats sweep the elections Tuesday.In the wake of such pessimistic messaging, the October Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll released this week found 52% of registered voters have an unfavorable view of socialism. That’s up from 48% rating recorded in August, and marks the first time that a majority of voters have reported having a negative view in the last three such polls. The latest poll found 25% viewed socialism favorably, giving it a net favorability rating of -27 points, compared to the net favorability rating of roughly -21 points in August.Socialist-leaning candidates could win two of the tightest Senate races nationwide. In Maine, Democratic nominee Troy Jackson is challenging Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). In Michigan, Democrat Abdul el Sayed is challenging Republican Mike Rogers.Socialists back greater government control over the private sector in an effort to bring down the cost of living. Republicans believe the capitalist free-market system is the best weapon to promote a higher quality of life and cheaper goods and services by promoting competition.Johnson called out socialists in an op-ed for USA Today as the GOP races to defeat Jackson, el Sayed, and others with just days left to go until the elections, which will decide which parties control the House and Senate.“The Democratic Party keeps pushing further left and courting a new generation of voters energized by the Democratic Socialists of America and its false promise of a progressive utopia,” he wrote.THE SENATE SEAT MOST LIKELY TO FLIP“Throughout our nation’s history, midterm elections have normally been a referendum on the president. But these are not normal times,” he added. “House Republicans understand that to win the midterms, we need to defy history. But we also understand that 2026 is different. It presents an unprecedented and fateful question: Will we reject and tear down the American system, or will we keep building on what made our nation the most exceptional the world has ever seen?”The survey was conducted among 2,700 registered voters from Oct. 24 to 26 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.