Working-Class Individuals Severely Underrepresented in U.S. Lawmaking, Research Reveals
Research indicates that individuals from working-class backgrounds constitute only about 1% of lawmakers in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures. This figure is consistent across both major political parties, despite their stated commitments to working-class Americans. Globally, the average democracy sees only 2% of its national legislature composed of individuals whose last jobs were working-class. Working-class jobs are defined as manual labor, service industry, and clerical positions that offer limited stability or security, excluding small-business owners or those requiring extensive formal education. The primary reason for this underrepresentation is that working-class individuals rarely run for office, largely due to the personal burdens of campaigning, such as time off work and financial concerns. Political parties and interest groups, acting as gatekeepers, often favor white-collar professionals, believing they have an easier time on the campaign trail, even when working-class candidates are eq... 
