With Americans in a Sour Mood, Democratic Voters Are More Engaged in Midterms
The 2026 midterm election comes amid deep public dissatisfaction with the state of the nation and near-record low approval ratings for Trump.
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Associate Director, Politics
Steven Shepard is associate director of political research at Pew Research Center. In this role, he helps lead the Center’s research on U.S. politics and policy. He focuses on projects that examine Americans’ political attitudes, elections, governance and the policy issues shaping the nation’s political landscape. He works closely with researchers across the Center to design surveys, analyze findings and communicate rigorous, nonpartisan research that informs the public, journalists and policymakers.
Prior to joining Pew Research Center, Steven spent more than a decade covering U.S. politics and elections as a reporter and editor, including at POLITICO, where he reported on campaigns and public opinion. His experience in political journalism informs his work translating complex survey research into clear, accessible analysis. Steven holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from The George Washington University.