The economy continues to be the top issue for Ohioans as the 2026 midterm and gubernatorial election moves closer.

The most recent Emerson College poll showed nearly half of all respondents said the economy is the most important issue for Ohio voters, clearly outdistancing threats to democracy, health care, housing and immigration.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a food price outlook for the rest of this year and into 2026, saying prices are rising higher than the current 3 percent rate of inflation.

President Donald Trump said in a nationwide address Wednesday he has brought prices down since taking office in January.

A Consumer Price Index report from the USDA showed food prices rose 0.4 percent from July to August and climbed 3.2 percent from August 2024 to August 2025.

The report said that 2026 overall food prices are expected to continue to rise, although slower than the historical rate.

The poll of 850 registered voters taken in early December showed 44% identified the economy as the top issue, followed by threats to democracy at 13 percent.

Just 11 percent listed health care as the most important issue, while housing affordability, immigration and education did not reach double digits.

The same poll showed 43% of registered voters trust Republicans to handle economic issues, compared to 37 percent who trust Democrats. Almost 20 percent did not trust either party.

Also, 53 percent of voters believe mass deportations of undocumented immigrants are a good thing for the state, while 46 percent think it’s a bad thing. The percentage of voters who believe it’s a good thing dropped 4 percentage points since August.

Finally, the poll showed that most voters who did not vote in the 2024 election are under 30 years old and identify more with Republicans than Democrats.

“In addition, 31 percent of voters under 30 align with independents or Democrats, while 38 percent identify with Republicans, though this group still breaks for Democrats on the ballot by about 12 points,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. “Democrats hold a larger advantage among voters in their 30s than among those under 30, further indicating shifting political dynamics within the Ohio electorate.”