As Americans gather in the nation’s capital to celebrate the Fourth of July and kick off the nation’s 250th anniversary festivities, Fox News Digital asked attendees at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall whether the economy will influence how they vote in November.
While most respondents gave the U.S. economy a passing grade — most commonly a “B” — many said their ballots won’t hinge on inflation, jobs or economic growth alone. Instead, they pointed to values, leadership and party affiliation as the factors that will ultimately decide their vote.
The responses offer a snapshot of how some voters are weighing one of the nation’s top political issues ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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Although respondents expressed cautious optimism about the economy’s direction, several said improving conditions would not be enough to change their political preferences, underscoring the role that broader ideological and cultural issues continue to play in shaping voter decisions.
“I would probably give the economy, compared to what it was, I would give it a B for sure,” Jay Miller of Lafayette, Louisiana, told Fox News Digital. “I think we are on the verge of an economic boom like we’ve never seen in our nation. And I’m glad that I’m living at this point and this time to witness it firsthand.”
Miller said he believes lawmakers should work more closely with President Donald Trump to advance the administration’s agenda, arguing that doing so would help unlock further economic growth.
Donna Festinger from Greenfield, Massachusetts, also gave the economy above average marks, grading it a “B-plus.”
“I think it’s on the rise, and we’re getting more and more jobs, which I think really helps everyone in America,” the retired schoolteacher told Fox News Digital. “I think this administration is working hard to help everybody earn more money and to be able to save more money, which will circle back into a better economy.”
But not everyone in Washington, D.C. this week was as upbeat.
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Bonnie from Hollister, California, gave the economy a “C,” citing ongoing concerns about prices, but said she’s hopeful conditions will continue improving.
“I don’t think it’s great right now,” she said, citing high gas prices in her home state of California. “I would say maybe a C, but I’m hopeful that it’s going to turn around and be getting up to a B soon.”
Dan Cuda, 72, landed somewhere in the middle, saying the economy still has “a lot of upside potential” despite inflation.
“Groceries are pricey. I’m an Air Force veteran, and I’m still shopping at the military commissaries, and it’s noticeably up,” Cuda, a Maryland resident, told Fox News Digital.
Military commissaries are grocery stores on military installations that offer discounted prices to eligible service members, veterans and their families.
Despite higher food costs, Cuda still said, “I’d call it a… B economy.”
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When the conversation shifted from the economy to politics, several Americans said economic conditions weren’t the deciding factor in how they plan to vote.
“It doesn’t really factor into my vote,” Cuda said, adding, “I’m voting R no matter what.”
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Miller echoed that sentiment, saying character and values outweigh economic performance when it comes to casting his vote at the ballot box.
“Give me good people,” he said. “Give me conservatives. Give me somebody with a little faith, a little family, a little value. And that’s got my vote.”
Bonnie also said the economy matters, but won’t change her support for her preferred candidate.
“It does matter, but it’s not gonna keep me from voting for who I wanna vote for,” the Californian said.
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