The Democratic Party is run by a bunch of jackasses — according to its own members!
Frustrated Big Apple voters are fed up with Dem leaders, who they feel are failing to advocate for working people — and they want to clean house, according to a stunning new poll.
Half of Democratic voters polled in the 5 Borough Barometer survey, conducted by the Honan Strategy Group, signaled that electing a new generation of younger, more progressive members who will challenge the party establishment is a top priority in this year’s closely-watched congressional primaries.
The astonishing repudiation of the Democratic Party leadership comes as support for the party dwindles, according to the poll.
Only 63% of Democratic voters hold a favorable view of the party overall, while 35% — more than one in three — have an unfavorable view, the survey found.
The high level of discontent gives the Democratic Socialists of America and left-wing allies an opportunity to knock off more incumbents with their slate of insurgent candidates in Tuesday’s primary elections, Honan Strategy Group president and CEO Bradley Honan said.
“It’s startling. Democrats are flunking their party,” Honan said.
“Party members are unhappy with their leadership. The party’s voters are looking for change, and they are looking for it now.”
Democratic incumbents facing primaries should be nervous.
Respondents were asked whether primary challenges to congressional incumbents Adriano Espaillat, Dan Goldman, Grace Meng, and Ritchie Torres are a healthy thing that will strengthen the party or a divisive distraction that would weaken Democrats.
A plurality (43%) said primaries were healthy, while only 13% said they were a distraction. A little over a third (37%) said they were both.
When it comes to how the Dem establishment is failing voters, respondents made clear they felt the party is not doing enough to stand up for working-class Americans.
Almost 8 in 10 (78%) of voters said the Democratic Party was doing only a fair (54%) or poor (24%) job fighting for working people, compared to 22% who said excellent (4%) or good (18%)
Meanwhile, when asked whether the Democratic Party at the national level is standing up to the Trump administration, 74% combined said it is not very effectively (52%) or not at all effectively (22%) pushing back on the president.
“The verdict is consistent and citywide: New York City Democrats are not satisfied with where the Democratic party stands, and they are ready for it to change,” Honan said.
The DSA has made inroads in the party in New York City with their candidates toppling incumbents or the party establishment, starting with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s defeat of former Congressman Joe Crowley in 2018 and Zohran Mamdani winning the mayoralty last year, defeating ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The socialists have also picked up seats in the state Legislature.
“The DSA has been tapping into this frustration with the Democratic Party very effectively. It’s going to be an interesting set of elections,” Honan said.
The Honan Strategy Group surveyed 446 Democrats via text message from June 12-17. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.63 percentage points.
