# US midterm voters cite Trump, living costs and local issues

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/us-voters-share-why-they-cast-their-ballots-from-frustration-with-trump-to-affordability-concerns/
- Published: 2026-11-03T22:59:30+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T23:18:56+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/03/republican-voters-maine-susan-collins-trump
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Politics, World

## Key points

- National concerns are influencing midterm choices.
- Maine voter Todd Cox switched from Collins to her Democratic challenger.
- Local issues and Republican support remain part of the picture.

## Summary

New voter interviews show that concerns over Donald Trump and national issues are shaping choices in the US midterms, alongside local priorities. In Maine, Todd Cox, who had twice backed Republican senator Susan Collins, voted for her Democratic challenger, citing affordability, the war in Iran and what he sees as disregard for the rule of law.

The contests cover all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, 39 governorships and thousands of state and local races. Democrats need a net gain of three House seats and four Senate seats, while retaining their existing seats, to control both chambers. Voters also raised concerns about immigration enforcement, schools, taxes and local conditions, while some Republicans said they continued to support their party despite disliking Trump.

## Coverage

- [The Guardian: US midterm voters cite Trump, living costs and local issues](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/03/republican-voters-maine-susan-collins-trump)
- [BBC Politics: Voter voices: Trump's influence on US midterm voters](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cqj346nndl0yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.