Working Conditions, Workers’ Rights, and Candidate Preference in the 2016 Democratic Primary

Abstract

Abstract Working conditions and workers’ rights have long been indicators of broader societal power, yet it is unclear whether candidates who take explicit stands on such issues can expect to find electoral support among voters. This study draws on cross-sectional and panel data to examine the relationship between attitudes toward such issues and candidate preference in the 2016 Democratic primary. Although research on vote choice suggests issue attitudes are typically remote considerations, the findings indicate that Democrats who were more concerned about workers’ working conditions and the exploitation of workers were significantly more likely to prefer Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary. Moreover, findings from panel data suggest such attitudes were latent, rather than adopted, as Democrats who expressed support for stronger regulation of business in 2011 were significantly more likely to prefer Bernie Sanders five years later in 2016. The findings suggest that issue attitudes can be meaningful considerations when there are distinct options for voters, and that the unanticipated Democratic support enjoyed by Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary is at least partially attributable to his strong and explicit stands on working conditions and workers’ rights.