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Voters See Republicans as More 'Elitist
Developing
In Short: A new poll shows 43% of likely voters view Republicans as 'elitist,' up from 36% last year.
A new poll 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, 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.
Sophia June and a colleague from The Seattle Times spoke with some of these voters to understand the shift in perception.
The poll also showed that every age group was more likely to identify Republicans as 'elitist,' with the largest gap among 18- to 29-year-olds, where 59% viewed Republicans as elitist compared to 27% for Democrats.
What this adds
The shift is partly attributed to the changing demographics of the Republican base, which has become more aligned with wealthier and better-educated voters.
Background
A new poll shows 43% of likely voters view Republicans as 'elitist,' up from 36% last year.
One year after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a speech at Utah Valley University, Republicans are rallying for the midterm elections, drawing inspiration from the slain activist's legacy.
What's confirmed
- That caricature began to look more like reality as the party lost working-class voters and gained wealthier and better-educated ones.
- When our pollsters asked likely voters which party they think the word “elitist” describes, 43% of them said Republicans, and 33% said Democrats.
- Back then, Republicans and Democrats were about tied — 35% for Democrats, 36% for Republicans — so the new figures, Ruth said, represent a notable shift. — The bump was driven in part by independent voters.
- My colleague Sophia June and I called up some of these voters.
- In 2022, 36% of independents described Republicans as the more elitist party.
- — In the latest poll, men were about evenly split on the party they viewed as most elitist, but women chose Republicans by a 20-point margin.
- — 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.