Politics
Poll shows majority of Americans doubt political rhetoric on working class as parties vie for voters
A new survey indicates skepticism toward party promises while Democrats hold a slight edge over Republicans among voters who identify as working class.
The short version
- A POLITICO Poll conducted by Public First found that 55 percent of Americans believe politicians only promise to help the working class to win votes.
- A 37 percent plurality of Americans say Democrats best represent working-class interests compared to 30 percent for Republicans, with self-identified working-class voters splitting 38 percent for Democrats and 32 percent for Republicans.
- Both major parties are targeting these voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections while facing internal strategy debates and voter frustration over cost of living and international conflicts.
- Parties face an ongoing challenge in defining the working-class electorate, as 59 percent of adults broadly say the term describes them, but only 16 percent select it when choosing from a specific list of class labels.
Key facts
- According to The POLITICO Poll conducted by Public First, 55 percent of Americans believe politicians are only trying to win votes when claiming they will assist the working class.[Politico]
- Thirty-seven percent of Americans state that Democrats best represent working-class interests, compared to 30 percent who choose Republicans.[Politico]
- Among adults who self-identify as working class, 38 percent favor Democrats and 32 percent favor Republicans regarding representation of their interests.[Politico]
- While 59 percent of respondents say the description 'working class' broadly fits them, only 16 percent select it when forced to pick a single category from a provided list.[Politico]
- Thirty-five percent of self-identified working-class respondents say Donald Trump bears primary responsibility for the current economy.[Politico]
What remains uncertain
- It remains uncertain whether Democratic efforts to resolve internal divisions between moderate and progressive wings will successfully recapture working-class voters who previously moved toward Republicans.[Politico]
- The long-term impact of foreign policy, including the war in Iran and rising energy costs, on working-class voting behavior in the 2026 midterms is undetermined.[Politico]