From TIME · Nicholas Carnes · · 3m
Seven workers ran for Congress. Here's what happened.
Working-class candidates are rare in U.S. politics, but when they run, they win at competitive rates.
In brief
Working-class candidates are rare in U.S. politics, but when they run, they win at competitive rates. Seven working-class candidates ran for Congress in the twenty twenty-six midterms; most won or are winning, showing workers can compete when they enter the race. Originally reported by TIME.
Seven workers ran for Congress
In the twenty twenty-six midterms, just seven major-party candidates for Congress had working-class jobs when they entered politics. Many of those who ran won or seem poised to win.
Working class rarely governs
Working-class jobs make up over half the labor force, but historically the share of Congress members who last had a working-class job has never cracked three percent.
State legislatures show same pattern
As of twenty twenty-four, in the average state legislature, less than two percent of members have or last had a working-class job.
Lack of representation erodes trust
Research from multiple countries shows that when politicians from working-class jobs are scarce, people tend to trust their governments less. Economic policy tilts against working people.
“in politics, if you're not at the table, you're on the menu.”
The seven candidates who ran
Tim Rogers, a delivery driver in Wisconsin-four; Brian Poindexter, an iron worker in Ohio-seven; Sam Forstag, a smoke jumper in Montana-one; Ray Pooley, a machinist in Michigan-nine; Christopher Reichard, an electrician in Missouri-eight; Rebecca Cooke…
Jackson unseats Collins in Senate
Troy Jackson, the one major-party Senate candidate from the working class, unseated incumbent Republican Susan Collins. Collins had won fifty-one to forty-two in twenty twenty.
House candidates flip seats
Six major-party House candidates from the working class all ran for seats their party had lost in twenty twenty-four. Two have been declared winners: Poindexter and Cooke. Forstag is leading as final votes are counted.
Democratic workers outperform party
Democratic House candidates from the working class performed about nine point three percentage points better than Democrats who ran in their districts in twenty twenty-four. National average was eight point eight.
Why workers rarely run
Running for office means taking time off work, giving up control over daily life, and risking reputation and future. Working-class people are less likely to shoulder those burdens.
“Who would have thought we'd put a worker in Congress?”
Party leaders choose easier paths
Political powerbrokers recruit candidates through schools and programs. They pass over qualified workers in favor of qualified professionals they think will have an easier time running.
Models exist to boost recruitment
The New Jersey AFL-CIO Labor Candidates School boasts a seventy-five percent win rate. The British Labour Party created deep partnerships with unions to build a pipeline of working-class candidates.
In short
Seven working-class candidates ran for Congress in the twenty twenty-six midterms; most won or are winning, showing workers can compete when they enter the race.
