The resurgence of intense immigration debate could help Democrats maintain their enthusiasm advantage heading into November.
An Axios-SurveyMonkey poll conducted from June 15-19, against the backdrop of the family separation controversy, found an abrupt spike in the number of Democrats who say immigration is the most important issue facing the country. About 21 percent of Republicans and 18 percent of Democrats agreed with that assessment.
[White House: Democrats are turning family separation into an ’emotional issue’ for midterm advantage]
For Democrats, however, the increase marked a 10-point spike from last week alone. Independents also jumped up 4 points on the measure to 11 percent in the same time period. As recently as early May, only 6 percent of Democrats said immigration was the most important issue, according to Axios. In the May poll, by contrast, Republicans were also at 21 percent, the same number they’re at this week. While Democrats have moved the needle significantly, Republicans have remained stable.
If immigration stays in the news, and more Democrats continue to see it as the top issue, that combination could have a motivating influence on voter turnout. That’s a big ‘if,’ but it’s probably enough to make at least some vulnerable House Republicans a little nervous.
