Rural GOP margin halves to 16 pts in 2026 midterms, exit polls show

Exit polling indicates the Republican advantage in rural America fell from 32 points in 2024 to 16 points in the 2026 midterms, a significant shift amid a Democratic wave. The change suggests erosion of GOP support in small towns and rural areas, though the exact drivers and durability remain unclear. This matters as rural voters are a core Republican constituency, and a sustained shift would reshape electoral math.

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