The Democratic Party is experiencing a significant dip in popularity, as revealed by a recent national poll. This comes as the party grapples with its direction following a tough defeat to President Donald Trump, while its supporters are eager for a more aggressive stance against him. The poll indicates that only 27% of registered voters have a favorable view of the party, marking its lowest rating since 1990. A mere 7% hold a "very" positive opinion.
Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt suggests the party needs more than just a rebranding; it requires a complete overhaul. The decline in support is partly due to disillusioned Democrats who witnessed their party's loss to Trump in 2024. Unlike during Trump's first term, many Democratic voters now prefer their leaders to stand firm on their principles, even if it leads to legislative standstills, rather than seeking compromise with the president.
The poll highlights internal party tensions, particularly with Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who recently supported a Republican-led spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. This decision has sparked criticism from within the party, with figures like Rep. Pete Aguilar expressing dissatisfaction with aligning too closely with Trump.
In 2017, a majority of Democrats favored compromise with Trump to achieve legislative goals. However, this sentiment has shifted dramatically, with 65% now advocating for steadfastness in their positions, even at the cost of bipartisan progress. Only 32% support making compromises.
Elizabeth Joyce, a tech project manager from Texas, reflects this change in attitude, fearing that compromise could undermine democracy. Similarly, Samantha Kosloske from New York believes that maintaining a firm stance is more effective, even if Trump remains unyielding.
Some Democrats, like Mary Font, a veteran from California, are not expecting major legislative achievements but hope their party can at least block harmful Republican initiatives. Meanwhile, others, such as Jason Howard from Florida, argue for some level of compromise to achieve legislative victories, acknowledging the challenges posed by the current Congress.
The survey, conducted before a recent funding standoff, underscores the party's internal conflict over whether to support a GOP-authored funding bill or risk a government shutdown. Ultimately, 10 Senate Democrats, including Schumer, voted to advance the measure, sparking anger among House Democrats and voters who want a firmer stance against Trump.
The poll reveals no clear demographic divides among Democratic voters on this issue, though suburban Democrats are slightly more inclined to resist compromise compared to their rural counterparts. Even those open to compromise are calling for more assertive action from their leaders.
The Democratic Party faces a challenging landscape, with 55% of voters holding negative views, including 38% with "very" negative opinions. The Republican Party also has a negative image, but it currently controls the White House and Congress. For Democrats, these numbers signal a need for strategic reassessment as they navigate the Trump administration.
Independent voters have significantly contributed to the Democratic Party's declining image, with only 11% viewing it positively. Additionally, some core Democratic supporters have grown disenchanted, with nearly 20% expressing negative views.
Despite this, the party's current low is still slightly better than the GOP's lowest rating from 2013. Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, the poll indicates a tight race for congressional control, with a slight preference for a Democratic-led Congress.
While Democrats face a challenging environment, historical trends suggest the party in power often loses congressional seats. Voter opinions on how both parties are handling Trump vary, with many believing Republicans are too supportive and Democrats too critical.
The survey, conducted among 1,000 registered voters, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.