{
  "id": 4611598,
  "title": "‘We better not blow it’: Both parties are fighting to win over working class voters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/we-better-not-blow-it-both-parties-are-fighting-to-win-over-working",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "POLITICO",
    "slug": "politico",
    "url": "https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/31/working-class-voters-midterms-poll-01054992"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Republicans and Democrats are vying for the support of working class voters in the United States. A recent The POLITICO Poll found that 55% of Americans believe politicians are only trying to win votes when they claim to support the working class. This skepticism is shared by majorities of Trump voters, Harris supporters, and those who identify as working class. Only 25% of working-class Americans believe politicians genuinely want to help them.\n\nBoth parties recognize the importance of winning over working-class voters, but face significant challenges. Democrats struggle to connect with this demographic, with just 38% saying Democrats best represent their interests, while 32% say Republicans do. Republicans aim to capitalize on their success with working-class voters, particularly Black and Latino voters, who are concerned about the economy and the war in Iran.\n\nDefining who is considered working class is a point of contention. A majority (59%) of Americans believe \"working class\" describes them, while only 31% disagree. However, when given options, only 16% identify as \"working class.\" Progressive leaders like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani argue that the working class includes anyone struggling to make ends meet, while more centrist politicians like Michigan's Andy Schor define it as those who need to work to pay their bills.\n\nThe upcoming 2026 midterm elections will be a crucial test for both parties in their efforts to connect with working-class voters. Candidates are leveraging their personal experiences and backgrounds to signal their ties to this demographic. Trump's unconventional campaign tactics, such as working at McDonald's, and Republicans' renewed focus on blue-collar roots are aimed at solidifying their working-class base. Democrats, on the other hand, are grappling with how to better represent working-class values, particularly in culture and economic issues.",
  "summary": "New results from The POLITICO Poll show a 37 percent plurality of Americans say Democrats best represent the interests of the working class, while 30 percent say Republicans.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}