The most pressing midterm issues for rural voters

Midterm elections approach, and rural voters prioritize economic concerns above immigration and other issues, according to a new AP/KFF poll. Sixty-nine percent of rural voters find it extremely important for candidates to discuss the cost of living, while 56% prioritize health care costs and 54% are concerned about government program fraud.

The poll of 2,241 registered rural voters reveals that cost of living worries encompass a broad range of expenses, with 57% mentioning affordability in daily life, 67% worried about gas or transportation costs, 66% about healthcare, and 60% about food and groceries. A significant 75% of respondents rated the cost of living in their area as fair or poor, a 25 percentage point increase since 2017.

Despite this dissatisfaction, rural voters' party allegiance remains Republican-leaning. Forty percent of respondents trust Republicans more to handle the cost of living, compared to 25% who trust Democrats and 27% who trust neither party. Rural voters identify as 54% Republican or Republican-leaning independents, and 32% as Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents.

This economic frustration may impact voter enthusiasm among rural Republicans. Twenty-seven percent of rural Republican voters disapprove of Trump's economic handling, yet 59% of this group says they are absolutely certain to vote in the midterms. However, 98% of rural Republicans say they are more likely to vote for a Republican than a Democrat.