One Country Poll Finds Neither Party Resonating with Rural Voters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

October 21, 2021 

CONTACT: [email protected] 

One Country Poll Finds Neither Party Resonating with Rural Voters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the heels of the inaugural Rural Progress Summit, the One Country Project released its Rural Horizons Poll, which revealed rural voters are in a challenging mood for Democrats, though they don’t believe either party is speaking to them.  According to the poll’s findings:

• 57 percent of rural voters think the Democratic Party is not considering their way of life, while 50 percent say the Republican Party is not considering their way of life.
• Of the politicians included in the poll, Donald Trump was the only well-liked national political figure.
• Biden is seeing "drop-off" from his 2020 vote total among rural voters, but his policies are more popular than his job approval. 47 percent of rural voters polled were in favor of the president’s Build Back Better plans for infrastructure and social programs.
• Immigration remains the issue that resonates most with rural voters ahead of COVID-19, jobs, and the economy.
• When it comes to health care, rising premium costs and physician access are rural voter top priorities.
• Rural voters have strong concerns about inflation, jobs, politicians, and family farms.
  • 83 percent of respondents agreed that the costs of everyday items like food, clothes, and gas are increasing quickly.
  • 82 percent believe trade schools and a skilled labor force can provide the foundation of a successful career to support a family.
  • Concerns over politicians contributing to disinformation were dominant at 80 percent, with 78 percent believing that disinformation is threatening people’s well-being.
  • 75 percent of rural voters think family farms are disappearing faster than ever.

The release of the Rural Horizons Poll coincides with the One Country Project’s inaugural Rural Progress Summit, which brought together rural advocates, political experts, and political leaders to discuss the policies and issues that are important to rural communities and how those priorities can be elevated on Capitol Hill and the campaign trail in 2022 and beyond.  In addition to discussions about how to provide the best healthcare for rural America, the future of work in rural America, the changing demographics of rural America, and how disinformation is impacting rural voters, political strategist David Axelrod, former Mayor of New Orleans, and One Country Project founder former Senator Heidi Heitkamp came together to discuss what it will take for Democrats to win in rural America.

“Rural voters play a key role in deciding who controls the agenda in Washington and going into 2022 it is clear that rural voters know what they want our leaders to tackle—improved access to healthcare, better childcare policies, improved infrastructure, and improved career pathways that will enable rural residents to earn a living while having a high quality of life,” said OCP founder and former Senator Heidi Heitkamp. “Biden’s Build Back Better agenda aligns with many of rural America’s priorities, but the policies and what they mean to rural communities are being overshadowed by discussion of the topline numbers. To win in rural America, politicians must take meaningful action now and then move on to the next step of explaining what these reforms mean back in rural communities.”

To watch the highlights from the Rural Progress Summit, click here.

To view the poll, please click here.

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About One Country Project  

The One Country Project, led by former Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Joe Donnelly, is working to promote greater opportunities for rural communities and ensure leaders earn their support. One Country is reengaging with rural Americans, serving as a clearinghouse of research and information for rural Americans, and working to ensure leaders regain trust by fighting for these communities. To learn more, visit the website, OneCountryProject.org.