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Poll Shows 43% of Voters View Republicans as 'Elitist
Developing
In Short: A new poll shows 43% of likely voters view Republicans as 'elitist,' up from 36% last year.
A new poll conducted by The Seattle Times reveals that 43% of likely voters now view Republicans as 'elitist,' compared to 33% who view Democrats that way, marking a significant shift from previous years.
The poll, which asked likely voters which party they think the word 'elitist' describes, found that the perception of Republicans as 'elitist' has increased among independent voters and women, with women choosing Republicans as more elitist by a 20-point margin.
In 2022, 36% of independents described Republicans as the more elitist party, but the latest poll shows a notable shift, driven in part by independent voters. The poll also found that every age group was more likely to identify Republicans as 'elitist,' with 18- to 29-year-olds leading the trend at 59% to 27%.
The Times' polling editor, Ruth Igielnik, noted that the party's image has shifted since 2022, when Republicans and Democrats were about tied on the 'elitist' label. This year's poll indicates a significant change, with the Republican Party increasingly perceived as out of touch with the working class.
Rebecca Schneider-Kaplan, an educator from Staten Island, New York, who voted for Trump in the last election, said she now views him as 'untouchable,' insulated from consequences that the rest of the population might face. This sentiment reflects a broader perception that the Republican Party is becoming more elitist and less relatable to the average voter.
The changing demographics of the Republican base, which has become more aligned with wealthier and better-educated voters, may contribute to this perception. As the party loses working-class voters and gains wealthier and better-educated ones, the caricature of Republicans as 'elitist' begins to look more like reality.
What this adds
The poll, conducted by The Seattle Times, found that the perception of Republicans as 'elitist' has increased among independent voters and women, with women choosing Republicans as more elitist by a 20-point margin.
Background
A new poll shows 43% of likely voters view Republicans as 'elitist,' up from 36% last year.
What's confirmed
- My colleague Sophia June and I called up some of these voters.
- — Every age group was more likely to identify Republicans as “elitist,” although it was 18- to 29-year-olds who did so most decisively: 59% to 27%.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.
Sources
- Warpbeatlink