Working-class voters are increasingly disillusioned with the Democratic Party, perceiving it as overly focused on social issues while neglecting the economic hardships that affect everyday Americans, a comprehensive internal analysis has found.

The research, funded by Democracy Matters and conducted over nine months across 21 states, is part of a series of evaluations aimed at understanding the Democratic Party's recent electoral losses. The project, which included polling, focus groups, and message testing, highlighted that many working-class voters view Democrats as "woke, weak, and out-of-touch," with 60% holding a negative view of the party.

According to the findings, these voters question the Democratic Party’s patriotism and strength compared to the Republican portrayal of security and robust leadership. They struggle to articulate what Democrats stand for, other than opposition to Donald Trump. Mitch Landrieu, co-chair of Democracy Matters and a senior adviser to then-President Joe Biden, emphasized the need for the party to reconnect with these voters. "They feel forgotten," Landrieu stated, highlighting that the focus should be squarely on alleviating their economic stress.

The report suggests that while Democrats have historically been trusted on issues like health care and housing, their image has been tarnished by a perceived preoccupation with progressive social issues at the expense of economic realities. This sentiment was echoed in several other post-mortem analyses urging the party to prioritize economic over social concerns.

Addressing the economic narrative, the research indicated that working-class voters favored candidates who focus on improving the economy for hardworking individuals over those targeting the wealthy and big corporations. This preference points to a potential recalibration in Democratic messaging to better align with voter priorities regarding wealth creation and fair taxation.

The analysis also touched on sensitive topics like transgender rights and immigration, which have been heavily leveraged by Republican campaigns. The Democratic approach, the report suggests, should emphasize economic priorities while advocating for non-intrusive government roles in personal and medical decisions.

Furthermore, the study revealed unique media consumption habits among working-class voters, who are turning more to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook for news, rather than traditional media outlets. This trend underscores the necessity for Democrats to adapt their communication strategies to reach and resonate with this critical voter segment effectively.

As the Democratic Party prepares for the upcoming midterms, these insights could be pivotal in reclaiming the support of the working-class electorate. However, the challenge remains for the party to articulate a clear and compelling economic policy that aligns with the needs and values of these voters.