Supporters of Francesca Hong, a Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate, gathered at her election night party in Madison. Despite being a self-identified democratic socialist, she narrowly lost in the primary.
Interestingly, some swing voters may not be quick to reject socialist political candidates. NPR conducted two online focus groups in Nevada. Ten out of twelve participants indicated they wouldn’t automatically have a negative perception of left-leaning politicians. These voters, who supported Joe Biden in 2020 and then voted for Donald Trump in 2024, included independents, Republicans, and Democrats.
I don’t just take one thing and then label or judge somebody just for that,explained Jasmine, a 33-year-old independent voter. She and the other participants remained anonymous.
Melody, a 37-year-old independent, emphasized the need for more discussion. I wouldn’t immediately think bad of someone. I would want to talk a little bit more about it with them because to me, they’re at least trying to think of a solution where everybody has rights and everybody has food, everybody has a house, everybody has a job.
These opinions emerged during the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary, which saw a democratic socialist candidate lose by a small margin. The Democratic Party is debating whether the emergence of such candidates could impact relationships with centrist voters.
A Pew Research Center survey found about one-third of Democratic voters hold positive views of democratic socialist leaders. A significant number of all Americans remain neutral towards these politicians. While focus groups lack the scientific reliability of polls, they can reveal voter sentiments on various subjects. Messaging firm Engagious, in partnership with marketing research group Nelson Recruiting and NPR, conducted the focus groups as part of the Swing Voter Project.
Rich Thau, president of Engagious and moderator of the focus groups, noted his surprise. I was struck by the receptivity that they had toward democratic socialism as a concept, that they weren’t willing to automatically dismiss it,
he said.
The focus group participants discussed the distinctions between traditional Democrats and democratic socialists. Marianne, a 57-year-old independent voter, saw traditional Democrats as more centrist, catering to corporate interests while caring for the working people. Whereas socialist Democrats are more about community,
she said. Some struggled to define socialism or distinguish between Democrats and democratic socialists. However, Justin, a 39-year-old independent, felt Democrats lean towards business, while socialist Democrats prioritize public welfare.
Freddy, a 34-year-old independent, acknowledged that socialist Democrats are more assertive in targeting the wealthy for societal benefits but found their positions too extreme. Anything that far left, it’s not for me,
he expressed.
Economic Concerns and Openness to Socialism
The group’s opinions were divided regarding Trump’s job performance. Yet, ten participants reported greater economic anxiety now compared to when Trump assumed office. Seven indicated higher personal debt.
Katrina, a 53-year-old independent, struggled to articulate her anxiety. I feel anxious that nothing has really changed,
she said.
Thau attributed openness to socialism to increasing economic concerns. They are struggling economically, so they need help. And they think that socialism apparently is going to offer them the help that they’re looking for,
he explained.
Marianne shared her own financial challenges, saying she sometimes charges groceries to credit cards due to rising prices. Her son’s income from working on the Las Vegas Strip for 22 years remains insufficient to cover expenses, so she supports him financially.
Corrina, a 51-year-old Republican, mentioned stress over climbing home insurance costs, which increased her mortgage payments. Jasmine added, We’re living paycheck to paycheck, yet inflation is going up, things are going up.
Participants remained open to socialism but drew a solid line against communism. I’m giving contempt prior to investigation with communism. You got me there,
Justin stated, recalling the negative perception instilled during childhood. Trump frequently labels his political opponents as communists instead of socialists.