WASHINGTON — A new memo from Lake Research Partners conducted on behalf of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC showed that a progressive policy agenda is popular with both Democratic base (“surge”) voters and swing voters in competitive congressional districts.

Clear trends emerged that are promising for progressive candidates in 2022:

  • For the most part, voters were not swayed by Republican attacks around “socialism” or “defunding the police,” which voters viewed as divisive fear-mongering.
  • Voters expect Democrats to do more before the upcoming election cycle and are “expecting Democrats to get things done,” with a clear positive vision for the future.
  • Both surge and swing voters reported being very focused on equity — a new development and distinct shift for swing voters. Surge and swing voters had many progressive issues as their top priorities, including: climate change, corruption in government, and kitchen table economics; followed by social justice, affordable health care, immigration, and the economy.

The memo also includes clear warnings for the upcoming cycle. Researchers found that “most voters have trouble describing a clear positive vision of what the Democratic Party stands for,” and that voters who turned out and swung to Democrats in 2020 can be lost again if they do not perceive the majority to have delivered results. 

The following is a statement from CPC PAC Co-Chairs Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08).

“It is clear that the electorate that put Democrats in the majority in 2020 cares most about results — that we deliver tangible change, advance equity, and address the biggest crises facing our country, from the climate crisis to the economy. The good news is that the Progressive Caucus shares those goals completely. Our path forward is clear: recommit our efforts to passing a bold, ambitious, progressive agenda that is grounded in racial equity, and we will be able to keep, if not grow, our majority in 2022.”

The memo was developed following recent focus groups among swing voters and Democratic surge voters in competitive congressional districts. These included three focus groups among white swing voters, two focus groups among Democratic surge voters, and one focus group among white Republican surge voters in: CA-45, CA-49, NJ-03, OR-04, PA-08, CA-21, CA-39, IA-01, IN-05, MI-03, NM-02, TX-23, and VA-05.