Pollster Steven Kull told those attending IndyFest 2024 that the public views elected officeholders as having “the most negatively regarded professions” due to the current state of political discourse in the U.S. 

Kull, director of the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland, told Nevada Independent CEO and Editor Jon Ralston and reporter Gabby Birenbaum that mapping the left and right spectrum of Congress would form a U-shaped curve.

“If you map the American public, it's a normal curve. Most people are kind of in the middle,” Kull said. “That’s why they find the political discourse frustrating. What’s the right balance?” 

He added that the public gets “worked up” because elected leaders have to make a choice but the process becomes frustrating to watch.

Kull suggested creating more structures for elected leaders to engage and listen to their constituents. He said a study was done by his program to discover why Americans are unhappy with the government and why trust in elected leaders has declined.

“There's a widespread perception that government is dominated by special interests, [which] does not serve the common good,” Kull said. “The people have very little influence and there's tremendous frustration. It goes to both parties. So what they're looking for is a way for them to have more of a voice.”

Watch the full panel discussion here: