Rasmussen: Progressives hold too much Dem influence

More than a third of American voters say progressives have too much influence in the Democratic Party, Rasmussen Reports found.

New Rasmussen survey results come as democratic socialists and other far-left candidates have scored a series of high-profile primary victories, fueling debate over whether the party is moving too far to the left ahead of this fall's midterm elections.

The survey found that 38% of likely U.S. voters say progressives wield too much influence within the Democratic Party, compared with 27% who say progressives do not have enough influence.

Another 19% say the level of influence is about right, while 16% are unsure.

Overall, 29% of voters identify themselves as progressives, while 51% say they do not consider themselves progressive. Twenty-one percent are undecided.

The poll of 1,083 likely voters was conducted July 12-14 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Respondents were asked whether they consider themselves progressive and whether progressives have too much, too little, or about the right amount of influence in the Democratic Party.

The results reveal a sharp partisan divide.

Nearly half (49%) of Democrats say they identify as progressive, compared with just 18% of Republicans and 17% of independent voters.

While most Democrats say progressives have either too little influence or about the right amount, 57% of Republicans and 40% of independents say progressives have too much sway over the party.

Among voters who backed President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, 63% say progressives have too much influence.

By contrast, about two-thirds of former Vice President Kamala Harris voters say progressives have either too little influence or about the right amount.

Rasmussen Reports also found that older Americans are especially skeptical of the Democratic Party's progressive wing.

A majority of voters age 65 and older say progressives have too much influence, while younger voters are more likely to say the movement does not have enough influence.

The findings come as Democrats grapple with the growing prominence of Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates and other left-wing insurgents.

According to The New York Times, recent primary victories by self-described democratic socialists in New York, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., have intensified concerns among moderate Democrats that the party is embracing positions that could prove politically damaging in competitive districts.

Several moderate House Democrats have publicly distanced themselves from the socialist movement, arguing the Democratic Party should remain committed to capitalism as Republicans seek to portray the party as increasingly dominated by its progressive wing.