Twenty years ago, the US Democratic Party was still seen as a champion of the working class. This tradition, started by Franklin D. Roosevelt and adapted by Bill Clinton's updated "New Deal" ideas, focused on ordinary workers. Today, the party has largely lost this connection.
Historically, Jimmy Carter in 1976 was the last Democrat to win a majority of the white working-class vote. Since the 1980s, these voters have shifted towards the Republicans. In 2024, Donald Trump received 56% of the white working-class vote, compared to Kamala Harris's 32%.
Losses among Latino workers have also been significant. In 2020, Biden won this group by a wide margin, but by 2024, Democrats had lost over 30 percentage points in four years. Many attribute this shift to Democrats focusing too much on cultural identity and social issues, neglecting economic concerns.
Policy examples include expanding transgender rights and easing immigration controls. Much of the working class views these as irrelevant or disconnected from daily life. Republicans capitalized on these narratives, positioning themselves as defenders of “ordinary Americans.”
Demographic changes have led Democrats to become a party dominated by highly educated voters. Their leadership’s language and messaging now often fail to resonate with the working class. Regaining support would require a renewed focus on the economy, affordable housing, wages, and healthcare.
Surveys show that anti-rich rhetoric does not sway working-class voters—they want secure jobs and fair pay, not ideological debates. The results of the 2026 elections will reveal whether Democrats can rebuild trust among working-class voters, or if this electoral shift will last for decades.
