By Chase Smith
A member of the New Democrat Coalition is calling on the Democratic Party to sharpen its message to working-class voters, saying that the party’s platform already aligns with their needs but isn’t breaking through.
In an op-ed published June 11, Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas said Democrats “don’t need a new agenda” following President Donald Trump’s win over then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. Instead, Veasey said, the party must focus on “communicating better, louder and bolder” to reengage voters who have drifted away.
Veasey is a vice chair of the New Democrat Coalition—a center-left bloc of 115 House Democrats that describes itself as focused on pragmatic, pro-growth policies, and bipartisan solutions. Representing more than half of the House Democratic Caucus, the group says it supports initiatives aimed at economic opportunity, public safety, and national security.
“The Democratic Party has long been the party of working people,” Veasey wrote, citing recent polling that shows declining support from black, Latino, and blue-collar voters. “Our once-strong lead with black and Latino voters has narrowed to record lows. Blue-collar support that once formed the bedrock of our coalition is cracking.”
Veasey’s message reflects a broader conversation within the Democratic Party about how to respond to losses in key voting blocs during the 2024 cycle. He acknowledged internal concerns about voter outreach but rejected the idea that Democrats need to overhaul their platform.
“It’s abundantly clear: We already have the winning ideas,” he wrote. “What we need is to communicate them better, louder, and bolder.”
Veasey pointed to recent Republican proposals—such as raising the minimum wage and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices—as examples of policies long championed by Democrats. He said that while GOP figures have begun to embrace some of these positions publicly, they often opposed them in the past.
The Texas Democrat also warned against letting political opponents “plagiarize” the Democratic platform without being challenged. He emphasized traditional Democratic priorities such as union rights, affordable health care, and fair wages, and said the party’s mission is rooted in defending the majority, not catering to the wealthy.
“This fight isn’t about left vs. right or progressive vs. moderate,” he wrote. “It’s about the powerful vs. everyone else.”
Veasey closed the piece with a call to focus less on internal divisions and more on what unites the party.
“Our soul-searching has never been about finding new principles. It’s about refining our purpose, renewing our faith and remembering why we fight—not for power, but for people. Soul-searching isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of conscience. And conscience is our compass.”
The New Democrat Coalition was founded in 1997 and is currently led by Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, according to its website. Other notable members include Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, who also chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; California Rep. Pete Aguilar; Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro; and New York Rep. Tom Suozzi. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who just won her primary for New Jersey governor, is also a member.
