Local officials from around the country are reporting a spike in political polarization within their communities in the months leading up to the midterm elections, with the high cost of living a top driver, a new survey shared first with NBC News has found.The results of the survey, conducted over the summer by the nonprofit research firm CivicPulse, show that 41% of local officials reported “substantial negative effects” of polarization, about a 10-point spike from the organization’s three previous surveys.The reported polarization differed depending on the size of the community.
Forty-nine percent of local officials in towns with more than 50,000 residents reported more polarization, compared to 39% of local officials in smaller communities.In interviews with NBC News, survey participants provided examples of the kind of tensions they’re seeing.One described residents venting their frustrations at local officials over national issues like rising gas prices that are out of their control.
Another recalled how an immigration arrest sent shock waves through the community, leading to protests and clashes with federal authorities.A third local official even considered giving up her position over the hostility she has faced doing her job.Still, the survey found that local officials believe political polarization is far worse at the national level, with 91% of participants saying it is “substantially” hurting the country.
Both nationally and locally, the cost of living was considered one of the most polarizing issues.Immigration, election administration and foreign affairs were also among the top drivers nationally, while taxes and housing were high on the list locally, with immigration behind those, but becoming more polarizing as the midterms approach, they said.Nathan Lee, CivicPulse’s managing director, said most local governments seem “to be functioning quite a bit more harmoniously and less divisively” than what officials perceive is happening ...