FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
CONTACT: media@ourrevolution.com
73 Percent of Democrats Believe a Strong, Working-Class Economic Agenda is Necessary to Boost Harris’ Chances of Beating Trump
According to the survey of more than 34,000 likely progressive voters, confidence levels of Democrats defeating Trump have more than doubled since Biden bowed out, but 1 in 3 remain unsure that Harris will prevail.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Our Revolution, the largest grassroots-funded progressive political organizing group in the United States, is releasing the findings of a sweeping new survey of more than 34,000 Democratic voters across the country. The respondents, a subset of the organization’s grassroots network of approximately 8 million supporters in all 50 states, were surveyed via email from July 22 to 24 and again from July 29 to 31.
Half of respondents surveyed reported earning below $125,000 annually, with one third bringing home under $50,000 a year. Topline findings from the survey reveal that:
- The vast majority of Democratic voters (85 percent) are relieved and encouraged by President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside as the Party’s nominee.
- Nearly all respondents (94 percent) say they remain worried about a second Trump presidency.
- 30 percent of survey respondents feel uncertain Harris can beat Trump. In a previous, post-debate survey, just 30% of Democrats expressed confidence that Biden would win re-election.
- A strong majority of Democratic voters, 73 percent, believe that committing to a strong, working-class economic agenda will increase Harris’ chances of beating Trump.
“These results underscore the substantial boost in excitement we’re seeing with Harris at the top of the ticket, but translating this newfound energy into actual votes won’t happen on its own,” said Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director of Our Revolution. “If Democrats are going to retain the White House in November, we have to get behind a strong, working-class economic agenda that speaks directly to the most pressing concerns of young people, progressives, and swing state voters alike — a substantial block of which are still concerned about Harris’ ability to beat Trump. These are the kind of policies that will rebuild trust and generate enduring enthusiasm that translates into votes and volunteer activism heading into the election.”
Survey respondents made clear that Harris needs to come out as a strong leader willing to take on the corporate elite and powerful special interests, who will deliver on economic and environmental issues that directly address voters’ quality of life and put government back on the side of working people.
When asked which policies would turn out more voters in support of the Vice President in key battleground states and across the country, respondents ranked campaign finance reform and holding corporations accountable as their top choices. Voters want to see a commitment to getting big money out of politics and breaking the corporate capture of government to clear the way for real policy change.
The survey results indicated broad support for specific policies focused on climate action (to end fossil fuel subsidies, lower energy costs and create new jobs), health care (end medical debt and expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision), a permanent ceasefire in Gaza (and an end endless wars to redirect defense spending), and create affordable housing (plus a federal 5% cap on rent prices). Other priorities included raising the federal minimum wage, growing unions through labor law reform, and universal childcare.
“These findings make clear that the Harris campaign’s recent reversals to oppose a ban on fracking and a single-payer health insurance program will dampen progressive enthusiasm which she will need heading into November,” Geevarghese added.
Last November, political scientists from Stony Brook University and the College of William and Mary conducted an extensive survey of the Our Revolution network to better understand the composition of the organization’s support base. According to findings, the vast majority (80 percent) of Our Revolution supporters identify as Democrats, with three-fourths of respondents reporting that, beyond just voting, they contributed money, canvassed, or otherwise directly participated in electoral activities on behalf of Democratic candidates for House, senate, or local races in the 2022 midterm elections.
Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director of Our Revolution, is available to discuss these survey findings and the path to a Democratic victory in 2024. To schedule an interview, contact: media@ourrevolution.com.
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Our Revolution is America’s largest grassroots progressive political organizing group, born out of Senator Bernie Sanders’s 2016 presidential campaign. It focuses on mobilizing communities, electing progressive champions, advocating for progressive policies, and transforming the Democratic Party to serve people, not corporate interests.