Can Democrats Win Back Rust Belt Voters?
New research from the Center for Working-Class Politics shows that economic populists are popular, but the Democratic label is a drag.
Democrats are aware of their problem with working-class voters, but they do not agree on the cause. Some commentators attribute Kamala Harris's 2024 loss to high prices, a short campaign cycle, or voter resentment against the possibility of having an African American woman as president.
However, the Democratic Party's working-class woes have deeper roots. Many voters in key battleground states feel burned by decades of Democrats' unrealized promises to improve the lives of working people, failure to address economic inequality, and support for policies that led to job losses, such as NAFTA and China's entrance to the World Trade Organization.
Many voters in key battleground states feel burned by decades of Democrats’ unrealized promises to improve the lives of working people.
Author's summary: Democrats face challenges in winning back Rust Belt voters due to past unfulfilled promises.