The message coming out of the 2026 midterm elections is becoming clearer: Americans are concerned about the economy, the cost of living and the direction of the country.
According to national exit polls, nearly nine in 10 voters considered the cost of living a major or crucial factor in their decisions. More than half said their financial circumstances were worse than they were two years ago. President Donald Trump's approval rating stood at approximately 38 percent in early CBS exit polling, while roughly three-quarters of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the country. And Blacknwomen carried the demkcrats to victory with 92 percent of the vote.
The results also reflected frustration with the administration. Democrats benefited from voters who viewed the election as a referendum on President Trump, his policies and the economy.
The economic picture, however, presents a more complicated story.
The Labor Department's October employment report, released Friday, shows employers added 165,000 jobs, significantly exceeding the average monthly gain of 48,000 over the previous year.
Unemployment held relatively steady at 4.1 percent, representing approximately 7.1 million Americans. Professional and business services led employment gains, adding 70,000 jobs, followed by health care.
But there are warning signs beneath the headline numbers. The number of Americans working part-time because they could not find full-time employment jumped by 339,000 to 4.8 million. Average hourly earnings increased 3.1 percent over the past year, leaving many households still struggling to keep pace with everyday expenses.
Black unemployment stood at 6.6 percent, compared with the national rate of 4.1 percent.
So, while hiring exceeded expectations, the numbers do not necessarily translate into financial relief for working families.
Now, with Democrats preparing to take control of Congress, attention is turning to their first 100 days.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his colleagues have outlined an agenda centered on affordability, health care and government accountability.
Among their priorities: restoring Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies, reversing Republican Medicaid cuts, lowering housing, grocery, energy and caregiving costs, and addressing prescription drug prices.
Democrats also want to challenge President Trump's tariffs, examine the administration's handling of the war with Iran and expand congressional investigations into alleged corruption and conflicts of interest involving the president and his administration.
That agenda will face a significant obstacle: President Trump remains in the White House, with the power to veto legislation. The Senate's legislative rules and the size of the Democratic majority will also determine what can actually pass.
The election gave Democrats an opportunity to govern. Now voters will be watching to see whether they can turn campaign promises into measurable results.