The Guardian view on the US midterms: the cost of living is on the ballot, but this is about democracy too | Editorial

Donald Trump's unpopularity and the economic struggles of voters have boosted Democrats. But with less than a month to go, there is no complacency

For once, Democrats and Donald Trump might be in agreement: Pretend I'm on the ticket," the historically unpopular president has instructed supporters. Midterms are in large part a referendum on the incumbent, and Trump's war on Iran and its impact on the cost of living have boosted support for Democrats. With less than a month to go, they have reason to be upbeat. The party has a mountain to climb after the devastating defeats of 2024, and the gerrymandering of Republicans, but surveys give it a lead of about nine points on the generic ballot, which measures preference for parties rather than specific candidates.

Attention has turned from the prospects of seizing the House, where Democrats are forecast a clear majority, towhat once seemed like the highly optimistic possibility of taking the Senate too. That would require flipping four seats, with 35 in play. Remarkably, Democrats are prospering in red states from Texas to Alaska. In Kansas - which Mr Trump carried by 16 points, and which has not elected a Democratic senator since 1932 - the race is neck and neck.