Tax Increases Popular Among GOP and Dems

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 1, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- A new survey of over 20,000 Americans has revealed significant support among both Democrats and Republicans in battleground states and districts for increasing taxes on the wealthy and high-income earners. The surveys, conducted in 11 competitive states and 28 competitive House districts, have found that imposing a 2% annual federal tax on wealth over $50 million and a 3% tax on wealth over $1 billion is favored by large majorities of both parties. This proposal would generate an estimated $200 billion in new revenue.

Raising the capital gains tax on households with income of at least $200,000, by taxing their gains the same as ordinary income, is also supported by majorities of Democrats in all battlegrounds, and majorities of Republicans in 31 of the 39 battlegrounds. This policy would raise about $164 billion in revenue. Applying the estate tax to more inherited wealth, by lowering the exemption from $15 million to $5 million, is favored by majorities of Democrats in all battlegrounds, and majorities of Republicans in 27 of the 39 battlegrounds. This would raise about $17 billion in revenue.

Increasing the income tax on income of $1 million or more is supported by majorities of Democrats in all battlegrounds, and majorities of Republicans in 21 of the 39 battlegrounds. This proposal would raise about $73 billion in revenue. Taxing hedge fund managers' income like ordinary income is favored by bipartisan majorities in all battlegrounds and nationally. This would raise about $1 billion in revenue.

Steven Kull, Director of the University of Maryland's Program for Public Consultation (PPC), noted that Republicans and Democrats agree that federal taxes should be raised on the super wealthy and those with very high income, enough to generate at least $455 billion in new revenue. This is true nationally and in most battleground states and districts.

The survey series, part of the Common Ground in the Battlegrounds? project, has identified 54 policies with bipartisan majority support in every battleground state and district surveyed, and a dozen more with bipartisan support in most battlegrounds. The project seeks to determine where there is bipartisan common ground in competitive states and districts across the nation, and to educate the public, policymakers, and candidates about the findings.

The project, which covers over 100 specific policy questions, has released surveys on a total of fifteen topics, including artificial intelligence, housing, healthcare, low-income assistance, families and children, Social Security, immigration, abortion and birth control, the role of "We the People," and energy and environment. The next survey will cover corporate tax.