To win over working-class voters, Democrats need to stop talking about democracy
To Win Over Working Class Voters, Democrats Must Shift Their Message
Ecorescuezone.com – There is an ongoing debate within Democratic politics about how to build a winning coalition. A new report shared exclusively with NPR suggests the answer isn't centrism—it's respect for working-class voters. The focus keyword, to win over working class voters, requires understanding that people need personal and economic security before supporting progressive changes.
The report's authors, Joan C. Williams and Jared Abbott, are college-educated coastal elites. Williams is a San Francisco law professor known for diversity and inclusion work. Abbott leads the Center for Working Class Politics and holds a Harvard Ph.D. Their message is clear: Democrats would make a huge mistake if they continue catering to social justice warriors while failing to appeal to working-class voters.
"The path heavily favors the party that wins working-class voters," the report explains.
Understanding the Coalition Crisis
Titled "The Left's Coalition Crisis: Understanding the Massive Divide Between Working Class and College Educated Voters, and How to Bridge It," the report argues that Democrats have lost support from working-class voters of all races. The party's base is out of touch with the priorities and values of these Americans.
Abbott and Williams define the working class as people without a four-year college degree, earning from $40,000 to $100,000 annually—the middle 50% of American incomes. Their research relies on the Class Gaps Poll, a survey of more than 5,000 Americans conducted earlier this year.
The findings reveal a disconnect between college-educated liberals and working-class voters on issues like LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access, climate change, immigration, and income redistribution. The greatest divide appears on "resisting authoritarianism."
"Resisting authoritarianism is the second-highest priority for liberal college grads, but for workers, it's like 19 out of 20," said Williams.
Defending democracy was a major theme of Vice President Kamala Harris's losing 2024 presidential campaign. She delivered her closing argument from the White House Ellipse, recounting President Trump's actions on January 6, 2021. Another theme was defending abortion access. According to the report, these are two issues that liberal college grads prioritize but most working-class Americans don't.
A New Approach for Democrats
The lesson isn't that working-class voters are unreachable. It's that you can't reach them if you're not focused on the issues they care about most. The authors offer a two-part prescription to develop cultural competence to bridge the diploma divide.
First, consistently embrace a populism that decries a rigged economy where hard work fails to yield a stable middle-class life. Then, rigorously avoid reinforcing right populism's narrative that liberal college grads look down on Americans without college degrees.
So, what should Democrats be talking about? The economy, and not just in abstract terms like "affordability," because wages are as important as costs. Ten out of 12 workers' top priorities are economics, so if you want them to vote for you, talk about economics.
"If we really care about stopping authoritarianism, if we really care about defending democracy, we have to stop talking about defending democracy in the way that we've been doing for the last too many years," Abbott said.
FAQ: Working Class Voters and Democratic Strategy
What defines the working class according to the report?
The report defines the working class as people without a four-year college degree who earn between $40,000 and $100,000 annually, representing the middle 50% of American incomes.
Why is defending democracy a challenge for Democrats?
While defending democracy was central to Kamala Harris's 2024 campaign, the report notes that only 1 in 20 working-class voters prioritize it compared to liberal college graduates.
What should Democrats focus on to win over working class voters?
Democrats should focus on economics—specifically paychecks, prices, and personal safety—rather than abstract concepts like affordability or authoritarianism.
For more on midterm election coverage, visit NPR's 2026 Midterm Elections section.