Evan Barker, a longtime Democratic campaign operative, has made headlines by announcing her departure from the Democratic Party according to Fox News.
In a revealing op-ed published in Newsweek, Barker expressed her disillusionment with the party following her experience at last month’s Democratic National Convention (DNC).
Despite having initially raised "tens of millions of dollars" for the party, she came to believe it was "totally out of touch" with the average American. Her revelations were shared widely through a Newsweek op-ed on Tuesday.
During the convention, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for president, an event that Barker described as leaving her feeling “lost, sad, and alone.” Coming from a blue-collar union Democratic family near Kansas City, Barker shared how many of her relatives had already abandoned the party.
“When I went to the DNC last month, I was truly hoping to be re-inspired,” Barker wrote. She had hoped to recapture her early enthusiasm for the party from the days she supported Barack Obama. Instead, the convention left her feeling more disenchanted than ever.
According to Barker, the environment at the convention felt elitist and disconnected from the everyday struggles of working-class Americans. She described it as a “hollow chamber” filled with slogans that did not address the real issues people face daily.
Barker criticized Democratic politicians for their focus on high-profile donors and policies that benefit the college-educated and affluent. She argued that these policies often do little for the broader working class. “It was devastating,” Barker admitted, “but not totally surprising.”
Throughout her op-ed, Barker repeatedly touched on the theme of hypocrisy within the party, particularly regarding the influence of wealthy donors. She highlighted how Democratic politicians often decry the impact of money in politics when it involves figures like the Koch brothers or Elon Musk but turn a blind eye to their own donors who wield significant influence over policy.
Barker also took aim at the Democratic Party’s foreign policy, accusing them of adopting strategies reminiscent of the Bush era. She voiced her dismay over the focus on funding wars abroad rather than rebuilding the working-class communities affected by neoliberal trade policies.
“Democrats are bigger hypocrites about it,” she declared, pointing out the irony of Vice President Harris touting an endorsement from Dick Cheney, a prominent figure in the Bush administration. Barker warned that the party's current trajectory could alienate more working-class voters who feel left behind.
She also critiqued the party’s focus on student loan forgiveness plans, arguing that these disproportionately benefit their base of college-educated, urban, and affluent voters while neglecting those without a four-year degree. Barker called for more tangible plans for true reform that would benefit the entire working class.
Barker’s journey of disillusionment appears to have been a gradual process, culminating at the DNC. In her op-ed, she detailed her attempts to rekindle her passion for the party, only to find herself further disheartened by the elitism and detachment she perceived at the convention.
Ultimately, Barker concluded that the system is not broken but designed to keep working-class people from true representation. “It’s impossible to unsee what I’ve seen,” she wrote, making it clear that her departure from the party is a step she felt compelled to take.
Her departure has sparked discussions about the Democratic Party's current direction and its connection with the broader American electorate. Barker’s compelling account may prompt other party members and voters to reflect on their own experiences and expectations.
Barker's perspective adds to a growing chorus of discontent from within the party. Her family’s departure from the Democratic fold signifies a shift that could have broader implications if the party does not address these concerns.
As the party prepares for future elections, this internal criticism may serve as a wake-up call. The challenge lies in reconnecting with the vital working-class demographic that Barker believes has been neglected.
