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Data: Political Uncertainty Shapes Distributor Decisions Ahead of Midterms

About 84% of distributor respondents in the latest Baird/NAW survey report an impact from political uncertainty, while manufacturers more often describe it as major. We break down the figures for distributors and manufacturers and analyze what they suggest.

October 27, 2026

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Just ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, distributors have reason to watch how the results could affect their bottom line. The next Congress will help determine which tax and spending measures can advance. Changes in those policies could affect after-tax earnings and demand from customers that rely on federally funded projects.

Those effects would depend on the policies ultimately enacted. In the meantime, uncertainty can influence decisions well before a new law takes effect. For distributors, the more immediate questions involve whether customers will commit to projects and how…

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