A new poll may give the Republican Party a bit of optimism ahead of the 2018 midterms, which many expect a “blue wave” takeover by Democrats in the House.

According to a poll from Gallup, the GOP’s favorability has hit 45 percent, which is a nine-point gain from September of last year at 36 percent. Gallup notes that this is a nine-year high for the Republican Party, whose favorability was at 47 percent back in 2011.

The Democratic Party’s favorability polled at 44 percent.

“No matter how much or how little party favorability affects elections, the fact that Republicans are more likely to view their party favorably than a year ago can be considered a positive indicator for the party, particularly if a more positive image boosts Republican turnout,” Gallup wrote in its analysis.

Gallup assessed that the increase in the GOP’s favorability came from self-identified Republicans who view their own party more favorably than in years past as well as right-leaning independents. Their numbers collectively grew from 67 percent last year to 85 percent today. Meanwhile, self-identified Democrats viewed their party equally between this year and last year at 80 pecent.

Real Clear Politics currently has Democrats at a 7.8 point advantage over Republicans, 49.1 to 41.3 respectively.

[image via Getty]

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