# Political polarization spikes ahead of midterms

> Local officials report rising political divides as cost of living and immigration tensions intensify.
- Title: Political polarization spikes ahead of midterms · NBC News
- Summary: Local officials report rising political divides as cost of living and immigration tensions intensify. Local officials report a 10-point increase in perceived…
- Keywords: political polarization, midterms, cost of living, immigration, local officials, civicpulse, trump administration, school boards, community tensions, election administration, politics, news
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/political-polarization-rising-2026-midterm-trump-economy-immigration-rcna600236
- Author: Megan Brand
- Published: 2026-10-06T09:00:40+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: political polarization, midterms, cost of living, immigration, local officials, civicpulse, trump administration, school boards, community tensions, election administration, politics, news
## Local officials report rising polarization
A survey of over 1,200 local officials found 41% reported substantial negative effects of political polarization, a 10-point increase from previous surveys.
## Polarization varies by community size
49% of officials in towns over 50,000 residents reported higher polarization compared to 39% in smaller communities.
## Local tensions over national issues
Residents vent frustrations over national issues like rising gas prices and immigration arrests, leading to protests and clashes with federal authorities.
## Local officials consider resigning
Some officials faced hostility severe enough to consider resigning over community backlash against their work.
## National polarization worse locally
91% of officials said political polarization is substantially hurting the country, with cost of living as a top driver.
## Immigration tensions rise
36% of officials described immigration as substantially polarizing, with 44% saying it’s becoming more so ahead of midterms.
## Cost of living drives divisions
Local officials identified cost of living and taxes as key polarizing issues as midterms approach.
## Local officials face backlash
City council members report increased hostility from residents over national issues like gas prices and immigration.
## Political attacks on officials
Ramirez faced threats and accusations of trying to upgrade a church, leading to calls to 'run her out of town'.
## School board tensions
School board directors report increased polarization over book bans and school board trustee Randy Campbell’s concerns about 'Christian values'.
## Project 2025 impact
Campbell linked local polarization to Project 2025, the conservative blueprint for Republican agenda ahead of 2024 elections.
## School board split proposal
The district nearly split over financial issues, with Campbell saying it would have been 'very much on racial and economic lines'.
## Local officials feel helpless
Officials report feeling helpless as national issues like Trump’s education policies create fear and uncertainty.
## Rising national tensions
Residents direct criticism at local officials for issues they have no control over, like rising gas prices.
## Local unity on AI data centers
Holyoke, Massachusetts, became the first Massachusetts community to ban AI data centers, uniting officials across political lines.
## Nonpartisan governance helps
Some local officials credit nonpartisan school boards for avoiding heightened polarization.
## Key takeaway

Local officials report a 10-point increase in perceived political polarization, with 41% noting substantial negative effects as midterms approach.