Former President Donald Trump is gaining even more support among blue-collar voters as Vice President Kamala Harris' once-reliable support among Democratic groups declines.

Trump has made more gains among working-class voters than any other Republican candidate in recent decades, according to CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten, and has made more gains among college graduates than in 2020. Among non-white, non-college-educated voters, there was a 17-point increase. Among union voters, a historically blue voting bloc, Harris has managed to maintain a nine-point lead, compared to a double-digit advantage for her Democratic predecessor. (Related: Harris' lead in key demographics shrinks compared to past Democratic candidates)

“There's always been tremendous synergy between Trump and this demographic base,” Maryland-based Democratic strategist Len Foxwell told DCNF. “He has certainly made a conscious effort to target that voter base, and now this traditionally Democratic constituency at least remains open to Donald Trump.”

Ahead of the CNN poll, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to endorse the presidential candidate on September 18th. An internal investigation by the Teamsters, the largest labor union in the United States, found that revealed Almost 60% of the workers they represent strongly support Trump over Harris. (Related article: Battleground states with few electoral votes could give Harris a “huge blow” in November, potentially overpowering her)

“Working men and women across America know that President Trump is the candidate they care about, which is why 6 out of 10 Teamsters “A lot of people are supporting Trump's candidacy.” “He has an economic plan that allows workers to keep more of the money they earn, expand U.S. manufacturing and lower energy costs. Under a deal-driven President Trump , America's farmers, manufacturers, and autoworkers got the best trade deal in history, and when we send him back to the White House, we'll put America first again.”

Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien was invited. talk This happened at the Republican National Convention (RNC) back in July. By contrast, O'Brien was not extended a similar proposal from the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in August.

“The Teamsters would like to thank all candidates for meeting in person with members during this unprecedented roundtable,” O’Brien said. said In a press release. “Unfortunately, neither of the major candidates has been able to seriously address our unions to ensure that the interests of workers always come before big business. They asked the Harrises to promise not to interfere with important union activities or the Teamsters' core industry, and to respect union members' right to strike, but they were unable to keep those promises. ”

The Team Stars are approved all democrats candidate President since Bill clinton, include President Joe Biden in 2020.

“By not supporting Kamala Harris, they are giving the green light to vote for Donald Trump,” said John McLaughlin, a Trump campaign pollster and CEO of McLaughlin & Associates. he told DCNF.

Foxwell told DCNF that “a realignment is underway between the union's organizational sector and its rank-and-file membership.”

Polling experts like McLaughlin told DCNF that this shift in working-class voters is likely a result of economic hardship under the Biden-Harris administration.

“They have been exploited by the Democratic Party,” McLaughlin told DCNF. “People living paycheck to paycheck have no choice but to vote for Donald Trump.” (Related: Experts say key battleground states are once again 'critical' to President Trump's chances of taking back the White House)

Inflation has repeatedly been polled as the top issue for voters. Fee Under the Biden-Harris administration, the number soared to the highest level in 10 years.

While the costs of inflation are being borne by working-class Americans, the Biden-Harris administration has approved several spending provisions, including the American Rescue Plan and the Control Inflation Act, which collectively amount to $2 trillion. has contributed to the federal deficit. America's rescue plan passed In March 2021, it approved $1.9 trillion in spending and anti-inflation legislation. passed Additional financing of $750 billion was approved in August 2022.

In addition to economic factors, political strategists like Foxwell told DCNF that Trump's trade policies will “naturally appeal” to working-class voters in a different way than Democrats.

“We're seeing a realignment of both parties when it comes to trade policy,” Foxwell told DCNF. “Trump, who leads what was once thought of as the party of free trade and free market capitalism, has taken positions on issues such as trade tariffs that naturally appeal to union voters.” (Related: Trump slammed key voters' concerns in RNC speech, but Harris barely mentioned them)

“On the other hand, since the Clinton administration and certainly continuing through President Biden's term, the Democratic Party has leaned more toward free trade,” Foxwell told DCNF. “So as long as there are unionized employees concerned about unfair and unequal competition with export markets, Trump’s policies will have natural appeal.”

Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania are rust belt states. usually Their working-class stronghold, with its lean blue tones, will have an increasingly significant impact heading into November.

These “blue wall” states carry a lot of electoral weight and are critical for either candidate if they hope to win in November.

in 2016President Trump won all three Rust Belt states by landslides, securing the election against former Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. in 2020, However, Trump lost all three states and subsequently lost reelection to President Joe Biden.

As Foxwell said, Trump has made a “conscious effort” to appeal to key industry workers like United Auto Workers (UAW) members who were on strike in Detroit, Michigan in 2023. I went. During the campaign, Trump attacked Biden's Green New Deal. In order to curry their favor, there is also potentially negative impact on the auto industry.

Mr. Trump also enjoys support among vocational school graduates, and that number continues to grow. generation z Participation in trade schools is increasing, with enrollment in vocational programs increasing by 16% from 2022 to 2023. According to National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

“Despite the numbers looking relatively static at the top, I think there is quite a bit of fluidity in this campaign,” Foxwell told DCNF.

“It's really essential,” McLaughlin told DCNF. “For Donald Trump's Republican Party to have a majority, it relies on working voters across the country in Michigan and Wisconsin to join the coalition. And he's winning them over. Not because they are in the Republican majority, but because Donald Trump is standing up for them.”

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DCNF.

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