Democrats target working-class women voters as pivotal swing group in midterms

Working-class voters are increasingly diverse, with women comprising about half of those without a college degree and two-thirds of the lowest-paid jobs. This shift challenges the old stereotype of a white, male, blue-collar voter. Democrats, who once held a sizable advantage with non-college-educated voters, have lost ground to Republicans, who have appealed to the group with direct, “straight-talk” messaging.

The party is now betting on candidates like JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine veteran and single mother from Eloy, Arizona, whose personal experience with high grocery prices and childcare costs mirrors that of many voters. Labor economists and think-tank researchers stress that policies targeting everyday financial pressures could restore Democratic support, especially among working-class women who have consistently leaned more progressive than their male counterparts.