Colorado Governor Jared Polis said on Sunday that Democrats can still connect with voters, despite their declining approval ratings, by offering a clear plan to improve everyday life.
With the party’s approval rating at its lowest in 35 years—just 33% favorable compared to 63% unfavorable—Polis argued that Democrats can regain support by focusing on solutions that directly impact people. “At the end of the day,” he said, voters want a vision for “making life better.”
“That’s where Democrats can bring people together,” Polis said on CNN’s State of the Union. “How do we reduce costs? How do we improve quality of life, make healthcare more affordable, clean up our air, strengthen the economy, and eliminate these expensive tariffs that are already costing families hundreds of dollars on back-to-school shopping?”
He described these as “simple, common-sense solutions” that could help Democrats gain 55% to 58% support if they stay focused on the basics.
Polis also broke from many in his party last November when President Donald Trump nominated Robert Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary—a nomination confirmed in February. Polis welcomed Kennedy’s appointment, saying he hoped Kennedy would support “personal choice” on vaccines.
Despite Kennedy’s past skepticism of vaccinations, Polis continued to back him and praised his campaign against processed foods, saying it added credibility to his critiques of the Trump administration.
Looking ahead, Polis emphasized that Democrats need to build a broad voter base before the 2028 presidential race. He said he hasn’t considered running himself or discussed a possible campaign with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris recently confirmed she won’t run in California’s gubernatorial race next year, despite speculation following her 2024 presidential loss. Still, former Obama adviser David Axelrod predicted last week that she is “setting herself up” for a 2028 presidential run.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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