NPR observed two online focus groups of Nevada swing voters during the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary, finding receptiveness among participants to candidates identifying as socialist or democratic socialist. The groups consisted of 12 voters who backed Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024, with six self-described independents, four Republicans, and two Democrats. When asked about their views on socialist politicians, 10 of the 12 participants indicated they would not immediately form negative judgments based solely on a socialist identification.
Participants expressed willingness to evaluate candidates holistically rather than dismissing them for ideological labels. Several voters articulated distinctions they perceive between traditional Democrats and democratic socialists, with some characterizing Democrats as more centrist and business-oriented, while viewing democratic socialists as more focused on community welfare and wealth redistribution. However, some participants acknowledged limited understanding of socialism or difficulty articulating specific differences between the two political orientations.
Engagious president Rich Thau, who moderated the sessions, stated he was surprised by the openness to democratic socialism as a concept, noting that swing voters typically gravitate toward more centrist positions. A plurality of the focus group participants reported experiencing economic anxiety, with 10 of 12 saying they felt more economically anxious than when Trump took office, and seven reporting increased debt loads. Thau suggested a connection between economic hardship and receptiveness to socialist solutions.
Voters expressed concerns about rising costs, inflation, and stagnant wages. One participant noted difficulty affording groceries without credit cards due to price increases, while another cited rising home insurance and taxes. Despite openness to socialism, participants drew a clear boundary at communism, with several indicating childhood-formed negative associations with that ideology. The focus groups were conducted by Engagious and Nelson Recruiting as part of NPR’s monthly Swing Voter Project, though such groups do not carry scientific significance equivalent to polls.
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