State of the Shutdown: New Insights from the Winston Group

Public Sentiment Holds Steady Amid Ongoing Shutdown
This week’s Winning the Issues poll, conducted by the Winston Group on October 15–16 among 1,000 registered voters, reveals that despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, voters’ opinions of both parties remain largely unchanged. Congressional Republicans maintain a 39–56 favorable-to-unfavorable rating, while Democrats’ numbers have shifted only slightly to 40–54.

Limited Personal Impact, But Broader Economic Concerns
More than half of voters (54%) report the shutdown has little or no direct effect on their daily lives, with 30% saying it affects them somewhat and 10% indicating it has a major impact. Still, 63% believe the shutdown is taking a serious toll on the U.S. economy — a perception that could carry political weight. Inflation remains a growing concern, with 57% of voters saying it’s getting worse, up from 49% in June.

Voters See Valid Points on Both Sides
While the majority of Americans (53%) believe the shutdown isn’t worth it, many see merit in arguments from both parties. Democratic messaging that links healthcare costs to the broader cost of living continues to resonate strongly.

Mixed Response to Political Rhetoric
When asked about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s comment that “every day gets better for us” as the shutdown continues, voters disagreed by a two-to-one margin (21% agree, 52% disagree). Even among Democrats, opinions were divided, highlighting the complexity of public sentiment as the standoff continues.

The Winston Group’s findings suggest that while voters aren’t feeling direct pain from the shutdown yet, they remain wary of its broader economic fallout — and unconvinced that either side is winning the narrative.