Longwell: Democrats Missed Material Concerns in Elections
Political strategist Sarah Longwell argues that while Republicans face electoral headwinds, Democrats are failing to connect with voters on fundamental economic issues.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, polling indicates a challenging landscape for Republicans, with potential losses not only in swing states but also in traditionally red areas. This electoral environment, influenced by factors like inflation driven by the Iran war and rising fuel prices, could signal a significant repudiation of former President Donald Trump.
Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and author of "How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time," suggests that the current political climate presents an opportunity for Democrats. However, she cautions that the party is still misunderstanding a key element of voter motivation: material well-being and safety. Longwell asserts that voters are primarily driven by instinctual desires for economic stability and personal security, issues that Trump and Republicans have historically understood and leveraged.
Longwell, who frequently engages with voters through her podcast "The Focus Group," argues that the political communication landscape has shifted. Voters now seek a more direct, personal connection with politicians, mirroring parasocial relationships formed with media personalities. This demands authenticity, a quality she believes Trump, with his background in entertainment, grasped more effectively than many Democratic politicians.
"The average person is often voting on instinctual things,” Longwell explained. “And those instincts are a lot of your animalistic desires for things to be okay materially.” She emphasizes that core concerns such as affordable gas, job security with opportunities for advancement, quality education for children, and community safety are paramount. According to Longwell, Democrats tend to focus on a broad array of specific policies, which she finds less effective than addressing universal needs like lower energy and grocery costs. She advocates for Democrats to prioritize messages that resonate with these fundamental, unifying concerns.
Longwell also addressed the perceived failure of "pro-democracy" arguments in unifying voters in 2024. She posits that while voters value the elements of democracy, such as free speech and the rule of law, they do not conceptualize them abstractly. Furthermore, the term "democracy" itself has become highly polarized. Instead, she suggests Democrats should consider using the term "America," which she believes better encapsulates how voters experience democratic principles through concrete, individual rights and structures.
Looking beyond the immediate electoral cycle, Longwell expresses concern about the Republican Party's future without Trump at its center. She notes a significant lack of clear values or principles within the party, leading to a "hollowed-out" state. While acknowledging the potential for Democratic success in 2026, she warns against complacency. Longwell stresses that if current demographic trends continue, the electoral map could become increasingly challenging for Democrats in the long term.
She highlights the need for Democrats to appeal to the "average voter," often characterized as a 55-year-old white man without a college degree. Using Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as an example, Longwell points to his significant lead in polls as evidence of a candidate who can appeal to a broad electorate, even if he faces internal party criticism. She argues that winning elections requires prioritizing electoral success over ideological purity, suggesting that the party needs candidates who can connect with this crucial demographic.
Regarding the Democratic Party's internal debates, particularly concerning foreign policy and campaign finance, Longwell believes a recalibration is necessary. She notes that voters express a desire for a reevaluation of America's relationship with Israel and a move away from corporate funding. She theorizes that the next Democratic presidential nominee may need to be critical of Israel to heal divisions within the party on this issue, even suggesting a Jewish candidate could be well-positioned to navigate this complex topic.