Historically, the Democratic Party had a strong bond with blue-collar workers, dating back to the early 20th century. This relationship was strengthened during the New Deal, when a coalition of labor unions, blue-collar workers, and big city machines united in a shared mission to support the common man. To quote Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt, “The test of our progress is not whether we add more abundance to those who have much, it is [instead] whether we provide enough for those who have too little”. However, in recent years, this relationship has been strained. Today, many of these long-time Democratic blue-collar workers have turned their back on the party, dramatically changing the political environment.
One of the most significant factors in the breakdown of the alliance between the Democratic Party and blue-collar workers has been the impacts of globalization. In the late 20th century, trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement –NAFTA–, touted as pathways to economic growth, instead led to massive outsourcing of American manufacturing jobs. For many working-class Americans, these jobs symbolized stability and pride. This loss left many workers feeling abandoned economically and politically: the Democratic Party, long seen as the champion of labor unions, was increasingly being viewed as out of touch with the plight of regular Americans.
This discontent gave rise to populist politicians who represented the frustrations of the blue-collar electorate. A key figure in this movement was independent presidential candidate Ross Perot, who famously warned of the “giant sucking sound” of American jobs being sent overseas due to NAFTA in 1992. Although his campaign ultimately fell short, Perot’s message of economic protectionism and radical populism resonated deeply with working class Americans, setting the stage for later politicians to capitalize on their concerns.
Cultural shifts also played a significant role in this realignment. Blue-collar rural and suburban voters began feeling alienated, due to the perception that urbanized social liberalism was taking control of the Democratic Party. Issues like immigration and gun rights became defining concerns for many working class voters, symbolizing broader anxieties towards cultural change and the “erosion of traditional values”. Republican candidates took advantage of this divide, amplifying their messaging and portraying their candidates as the only “true” patriots, working to preserve the “American national identity”. This messaging resonated with many who felt abandoned by the party they had once considered their own.
The culmination of these economic and cultural shifts came to a head in the 2016 presidential election, which saw the rise of Donald Trump. Trump refined Perot’s playbook, combining economic populism with attacks on the power of “political elites”. His message of “America First” protectionism promised that it would bring back manufacturing jobs, renegotiate trade deals, crack down on immigrants stealing American jobs, and restore traditional values. This platform successfully flipped the industrial and historically Democratic Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, redefining the political map and underscoring the Democratic Party’s growing challenges with retaining working-class support.
Today, Trump’s messaging has grown in popularity. The 2024 Republican National Convention featured Sean O’Brien, president of the historically Democratic Party-aligned International Brotherhood of Teamsters– voicing his support for Trump, a reflection of the broader ideological shift. Internal polling shows that approximately 60% of Teamsters members now support Trump.
Despite these factors, I believe the Democratic Party remains the true pro-worker party. The recent Biden administration proved its dedication, with President Biden becoming the first sitting president to join striking auto workers on the picket Line. In addition, his party’s passage of the CHIPS and Science Act is another testament to their commitment to bringing back well-paying manufacturing jobs to the US and revitalizing industrial hubs.
However, Democrats must refine their messaging. It is not enough to quietly enact policies benefiting workers, the Democratic Party must take credit for these achievements, and challenge Republican narratives head-on. The stakes are high, and the battle will not be easy. However, the party has the tools and legacy to rise to the occasion and become the champion of the working class it should be.
References
Competition and the decline of the Rust Belt | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. (n.d.). https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2014/competition-and-the-decline-of-the-rust-belt
Zitner, A. (2021, May 1). GOP’s Blue-Collar Agenda Still a Work in Progress. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/gops-blue-collar-agenda-still-a-work-in-progress-11619874 000
Miller, C. (2020, November 16). The decades-long decline of manufacturing jobs in Pa. | The Numbers Racket. Pennsylvania Capital-Star. https://penncapital-star.com/labor/the-decades-long-decline-of-manufacturing-jobs-in-pat he-numbers-racket/
2016 presidential election results. (n.d.). https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/president
Gurley, L. (2024, September 18). Teamsters will not endorse for president, a blow to Democrats. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/09/18/teamsters-endorsement-election/
Blevins, E., Grossman, A., & Sutter, K. (2023). Frequently Asked Questions: CHIPS Act of 2022 Provisions and Implementation. In Congressional Research Service (No. R47523). United States Congress. Retrieved January 23, 2025 from https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47523