An Ohio edge. An Iowa tossup. New CNN polls give Democrats hope in a pair of red states

Key Points:

• New CNN polls reveal widespread dissatisfaction in Ohio and Iowa, creating a prime Senate pickup opportunity for Democrats in Ohio and a very close race in Iowa, despite both states being deep-red and previously carried by Trump by double digits.
• In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Jon Husted by 6 points, benefiting from higher name recognition and favorable views, while in Iowa, the Senate race between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek is nearly tied with a large portion of undecided voters.
• Economic concerns dominate voter priorities in both states, with about half citing the economy and cost of living as their top issues; majorities blame Trump’s policies for increased living costs and tariffs, and many report worsened personal finances over the past two years.
• Democrats also hold advantages in the gubernatorial races, with Rob Sand leading Zach Lahn in Iowa by 9 points and Amy Acton ahead of Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio by 8 points, partly due to unfavorable views of the Republican candidates.
• While Iowa voters still favor Republican control of the Senate, Trump’s approval rating is higher there than in Ohio, suggesting a somewhat stronger GOP position in Iowa despite the competitive Senate race.