Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Dec 27: Winning the trust and support of young men has emerged as a major political battleground in the United States, with both Democrats and Republicans recalibrating their strategies ahead of next year’s midterm elections. After President Donald Trump’s strong showing among young male voters in the last election, Democrats are now claiming early signs of a turnaround, even as Republicans insist the fight is far from over.
Senior Democrats point to recent election results where high-profile party candidates — including Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Zohran Mamdani in New York City — performed better among young men compared to the party’s earlier setbacks. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin asserted that the narrative of Democrats losing young men is changing.
“I never want to hear again that the Democratic Party has a problem with young men,” Martin said after the November elections.
However, Republican leaders have dismissed such claims as premature. A senior Republican strategist said the GOP continues to enjoy a stronger ecosystem connecting with young men, cautioning Democrats against celebrating too soon.
“There’s a general sense of unsettlement — about jobs, artificial intelligence, housing and relationships. A lot of young men still look to Trump for solutions,” the strategist said.
Within the Democratic Party, leaders have acknowledged lingering hesitation in openly addressing men’s issues. At a recent Symposium on Young American Men, Senator Ruben Gallego said some Democrats fear backlash for focusing on male-centric concerns.
“It’s OK to reach out to men. Talk to men. Talk about men being men,” Gallego said.
Republicans, meanwhile, plan to target Democrats as being out of touch with young men’s concerns, while highlighting economic measures under Trump’s agenda, including tax provisions linked to tipped wages. GOP leaders believe economic sentiment will play a decisive role in shaping voter behaviour in the midterms.
Recent surveys suggest Trump’s support among young voters may be slipping. The Yale Youth Poll found approval ratings among voters aged 18 to 29 have fallen sharply compared to last year, with economic pressures cited as a key factor. Rising youth unemployment and affordability issues have contributed to growing frustration, with nearly four in ten Americans under 30 reporting they are “barely getting by” financially.
Democratic candidates such as Mamdani, Spanberger and Sherrill centred their campaigns on affordability, helping them attract a portion of young men who had previously backed Trump. Mamdani, who actively engaged audiences through popular podcasts, said Democrats must stop speaking down to young men and instead address their real-life struggles directly.
“Affordability is the difference between moving out of your parents’ home or not,” Mamdani said, linking the cost-of-living crisis to loneliness and alienation among young men.
Across states, Democratic leaders have unveiled initiatives aimed at men and boys, including efforts to address male suicide, education gaps and workforce participation. Yet analysts caution that success in state and local races may not necessarily translate to national elections.
Republicans remain confident that Trump’s economic and social agenda will continue to resonate with young men in the long run, even if midterm turnout remains uncertain. As both parties sharpen their messaging, the contest for young male voters is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape leading up to 2028.