Anna Hernandez in June 2024. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
The 2024 election marked a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party, revealing a widening gap between its messaging and the economic priorities of working families, particularly those without college degrees.
As Democrats struggled to connect with these voters, and endured losses up and down the ballot, there are local and national examples that highlight the need for a bold, class-focused agenda. They include Anna Hernandez’s resounding victory for the Phoenix City Council, as well as the enduring appeal of leaders like Bernie Sanders, who consistently emphasizes economic justice over elite-driven narratives.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
A national disconnect: Democrats and the working class
For years, Democrats have wrestled with declining support from non-college-educated voters, a demographic that once formed the party’s backbone. This trend was starkly evident in the 2024 presidential race, where turnout among working-class Democrats hit historic lows.
While the party centered its campaign on social issues and climate initiatives, it failed to adequately address the economic struggles that dominate the lives of millions. The result was widespread alienation among working families, many of whom opted to sit out the election.
Sanders has long been a counterpoint to this trend. His campaigns in 2016 and 2020 demonstrated the power of class-based messaging to unite a diverse coalition. In 2016, Sanders outperformed Hillary Clinton in economically distressed Rust Belt states, securing the support of many blue-collar and rural voters. His platform — centered on Medicare for All, raising the minimum wage and expanding union rights — resonated deeply with those disillusioned by decades of neoliberal policies.
Similarly, Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential bid offered a vision for economic reform through policies such as breaking up monopolies, canceling student debt and implementing universal childcare. Though she and Sanders presented compelling alternatives, their ideas were often overshadowed by the Democratic establishment’s focus on affluent suburban voters.
This strategy has repeatedly failed to energize the base.
Lessons from Phoenix: Anna Hernandez and the power of authenticity
The disconnect at the national level contrasts sharply with local victories like Hernandez’s in Phoenix’s District 7. Her decisive win illustrates how working-class voters respond to candidates who prioritize their concerns. Running on a platform that emphasized affordable housing, wage increases, and community investment, Hernandez avoided a runoff while defeating a former city council member and the mayor’s endorsed candidate.
Hernandez’s victory was particularly notable because it defied the typical power dynamics of Phoenix politics. By leaning into grassroots organizing and directly addressing the needs of her district’s families, she built a coalition that reflected the district’s economic and cultural diversity.
Her campaign serves as a reminder that voters value authenticity and a clear commitment to economic justice — qualities often missing in Democratic Party strategies.
A path forward: Learning from Sanders, Warren and Hernandez
The successes of Sanders, Warren, and Hernandez point to a clear lesson for Democrats: working-class families demand policies that address their material conditions. These voters are not disengaged because they don’t care — they’re disengaged because they don’t see their struggles reflected in party platforms dominated by corporate interests and technocratic solutions.
To win back this critical demographic, Democrats must:
- Focus on universal economic policies: Policies like Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage (adjusted for inflation) and robust labor protections remain immensely popular across the political spectrum. Democrats must make these initiatives central to their platform.
- Challenge corporate power: A bold stance against corporate monopolies, as championed by Warren, can galvanize voters frustrated by rising costs and stagnant wages. Breaking up monopolies and regulating Wall Street should be presented not as niche issues but as critical to the everyday lives of working families.
- Invest in grassroots campaigning: Hernandez’s victory underscores the importance of building trust through local organizing. Rather than relying on consultants and glossy ads, Democrats should empower community leaders to engage directly with voters.
- Reframe the narrative: The language of class struggle, long championed by Sanders, resonates with voters who feel left behind. Democrats must articulate a clear vision of economic justice, uniting voters around shared struggles rather than dividing them with identity-focused messaging alone.
The consequences of inaction
The 2024 election should serve as a wake-up call. As turnout among working-class Democrats continues to decline, Republicans have filled the void with populist rhetoric, however disingenuous. Without a shift in strategy, the Democratic Party risks further erosion of its base, making it increasingly difficult to win national elections.
The stakes could not be higher. Rising income inequality, unaffordable health care and housing crises demand urgent action. By following the examples set by Sanders, Warren and Hernandez, Democrats can rebuild their coalition and once again become the party of the working class. The alternative is a future where economic struggles are exploited by opponents who offer no real solutions.
Hernandez’s triumph and Sanders’ enduring popularity offer a roadmap for Democrats to reconnect with working-class voters. These examples highlight the power of class-based messaging rooted in authenticity and a commitment to economic justice.
To secure future victories, Democrats must abandon their reliance on elite-driven strategies and instead center the voices of working families. Only then can the party fulfill its promise of a more equitable and inclusive America.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.