Americans are increasingly down on the economy ahead of the election, with most blaming their woes, especially because of rampant inflation, on the Biden administration.

A new Harris poll conducted for the Guardian found that nearly 3 in 5 believe the country to be in an economic recession, even though the gross domestic product shows growth. It also found that 55% believe the economy is shrinking.

Republicans and independents, at 67% and 53%, respectively, are likelier to believe the country is in a recession than Democrats at 49%.

More than half of those surveyed, 58%, blame President Biden, and said the economy is worsening because of mismanagement from his administration.

Yet Republican voters are starting to become more optimistic about Mr. Biden’s policies. Four in 10 Republicans said they believe Bidenomics will have a positive lasting impact, which is an 11-point increase from a Guardian/Harris poll from September. The poll also found that three-quarters of those polled said they believe in at least one aspect of Bidenomics.

According to the poll, 49% believe the S&P 500 stock market index is down for the year and that unemployment is at a 50-year high, even though the index is up and the unemployment rate has been under 4%.

A majority of poll respondents, 72%, said they think inflation is on the rise, and it is in many sectors, including housing and gasoline. The Consumer Price Index reached 3.4% in April, with gas rising 2.8% compared with March. Republicans, at 80%, are the biggest demographic to believe inflation is increasing, but they’re not alone. Independents, at 74%, believe inflation to be on the rise, along with Democrats at 61%.

The survey was conducted May 10-12 with 2,119 adults.

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.