Everyone wants to win working-class voters. But have they realized many are women?

September 3, 2026

The traditional image of working-class voters as white men in blue-collar jobs has shifted dramatically, as women now comprise nearly half of working-class voters and dominate low-wage service sector positions. Democrats have lost significant ground with this demographic over the past two decades, with their 14-point advantage eroding to a 6-point Republican lead by 2024, largely due to messaging that fails to address everyday economic struggles like childcare costs, grocery prices, and healthcare expenses. Some Democratic candidates, including working-class women like congressional candidate JoAnna Mendoza and flight attendant Kaela Berg, are attempting to reconnect with voters by speaking directly about lived experiences of financial instability rather than using policy-heavy language.

Who is affected

Working-class voters, particularly women without bachelor's degrees who make up nearly half of the working class
Women working in service, retail, and care sectors (two-thirds of the 40 lowest-paid occupations)
Single mothers struggling with childcare costs, healthcare expenses, and basic affordability
Specific individuals mentioned: JoAnna Mendoza (congressional candidate and single mom), Kaela Berg (flight attendant and former candidate), Jenny Cook (paraprofessional in Minnesota), Roxy Hoda (hospitality worker with rising healthcare costs)
Democratic and Republican parties competing for working-class votes
Candidates like Peggy Flanagan, Omar Fateh, and Hillary Clinton referenced in electoral contexts

What action is being taken

JoAnna Mendoza is running for a seat in the U.S. House to represent Arizona's 6th congressional district
Jenny Cook is knocking on doors with her union during summer in support of candidates like Peggy Flanagan
Peggy Flanagan is running to represent Minnesota in the Senate
Emily's List is working to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights and conducting polling on voter priorities
Democrats are putting up more working-class women candidates this midterm cycle

Why it matters

This matters because working-class voters represent a crucial electoral demographic that has shifted significantly toward Republicans, and Democrats' inability to connect with them through relevant messaging has cost them elections. The composition of the working class has fundamentally changed to be more diverse and female-dominated, yet political discourse often still focuses on outdated stereotypes of white male factory workers. Working-class women are experiencing worsening economic conditions, including the first widening of the gender pay gap since the 1960s, making their economic struggles acute and their need for representation urgent. Whether working-class women candidates can help Democrats reconnect with these voters will test whether authentic representation and direct communication about lived experiences can overcome years of political disillusionment and potentially reshape electoral outcomes.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th