By Bruno Manno
Kamala Harris’ presidential acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention promised Americans “an opportunity economy where everyone has the chance to compete and the chance to succeed.” But working-class Americans are glum about their economic position today and what this promise means for them. For example, 2 out of 3 say the working class is worse off today than it was 40 years ago, while only 1 out of 5 say the working class is better off.
That information comes from YouGov surveys of working-class voters—those without college degrees—conducted for the Progressive Policy Institute’s (PPI) Project on Center Left Renewal. They include a focus on 7 Presidential or Senate battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.
Working-class voters are divided on which political party will advance their interests. Asked who will “put the interests of working-class people first,” 38% said Democrats and 37% said Republicans. When asked which party would be best at “creating economic opportunities for working Americans,” 38% said Republicans and 33% said Democrats. Nearly 1 out of 5 said neither party.
