Government Corruption a Top Issue for U.S. Midterm Voters, Exclusive Poll Finds

Harris poll for Guardian finds 76% believe officials care more about self-enrichment than helping everyday Americans

By Lauren Aratani, The Guardian

Government corruption has emerged as a top issue in the upcoming US midterm elections, with an overwhelming majority of Americans saying US government officials use their public office for personal financial gain, according to an exclusive Harris poll for the Guardian.

Nearly nine out of 10 Americans said that government corruption, as defined as elected officials putting their own or their donors’ financial interests ahead of the public’s, is a problem, according to the survey.

Three-quarters (76%) of voters said that elected officials care more about enriching themselves than improving the economy for ordinary people. Voters were more likely to say that government corruption (65%) is more concerning than corporate power (29%). Just under 10% said that neither concerns them.

The rising cost of living is still expected to drive the election, with 36% of voters saying it is the single most important issue to how they plan to vote in the midterms. But in a slate of other issues including immigration, housing costs, abortion, crime and safety and AI, corruption was the next top issue.