Rural voters are demanding that candidates for the 2026 midterm elections address the cost of living and healthcare expenses, according to a new poll from The Associated Press and KFF. Sixty-nine percent of rural voters rated the cost of living as "extremely important" for candidates to discuss.
Health care costs followed closely, with 56 percent of respondents identifying it as extremely important. Fraud in government programs also ranked high, with 54 percent of rural voters wanting candidates to address it.
The AP/KFF poll surveyed 2,241 registered voters in rural areas. The survey was conducted Aug. 12-24, 2026, using online and phone interviews, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Rural voters' focus on pocketbook issues outweighs debates over immigration and foreign policy. Political strategists are closely watching whether this economic frustration will shift voter enthusiasm among rural Republicans, potentially affecting turnout and results in key midterm races.
The poll underscores pressure on both parties to articulate clear strategies for addressing these core concerns as the election cycle progresses.
