Sen. Bernie Moreno (R‑Ohio), a close ally of President Trump on Capitol Hill, warned that the Republican Party’s future hinges on holding onto its White, working‑class base. Moreno told Fox News Digital that losing this bloc would leave the party “dead,” and he credited President Trump’s 2016 victory with rescuing the GOP from a decades‑long decline among working‑class Americans.
Historical shift and Trump’s impact
For much of the 20th century, many White, working‑class voters aligned with the Democratic Party, giving Democrats a stronghold in Congress until the 1990s. President Trump’s 2016 campaign shifted that alignment, delivering a decisive swing toward the GOP. Exit polls from 2016 through 2024 show Trump consistently winning roughly 66‑67% of the White, working‑class vote.
Current economic concerns
Moreno emphasized that rising costs and economic anxiety are eroding the party’s support. He pointed to a recent Fox News poll indicating that nearly 60% of voters cite the economy as their top concern. A separate May poll showed 67% of White voters without a college degree disapproved of President Trump’s handling of the economy, underscoring the volatility of the base.
While Republicans tout the “big, beautiful bill” and claim that fuel price spikes are temporary, Moreno argued that many working‑class Americans are “hating” the war in Iran and the resulting gas prices. He described families as “on the brink of bankruptcy,” urging the party to explain why the conflict is necessary and reassure voters that the price surge will be short‑lived.
Democratic response
Some Democrats acknowledge the party’s struggle to connect with working‑class voters. Sen. Chris Murphy (D‑Conn.) circulated a memo urging his caucus to adopt economic populism after the 2024 losses. Murphy admitted, “No one, including me, has all the answers right now, but we must reclaim our identity as the party of the working class.”
Redistricting and the midterm outlook
Redistricting maps give Republicans a structural edge in many districts, but Moreno warned that affordability issues could outweigh that advantage. He stressed that the party must address the immediate financial pressures facing families if it hopes to maintain its congressional majority in the upcoming midterms.
Moreno’s message reflects a broader concern within the Trump administration and its congressional allies: the need to sustain the coalition that propelled President Trump to the White House and continues to drive Republican victories at the state and federal levels.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
