The 2024 election served as a stark reality check for the Democratic party, yet five months later, their response remains inadequate. Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris—driven by a significant nine-point advantage among parents—has solidified the Republican party’s position as the champion of family values. Trump strategically focused his campaign on issues resonating with parents: expanding school choice options, limiting transgender ideology in classrooms, and eliminating controversial curricula like Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In contrast, Harris largely neglected to address these concerns within her own messaging. Polling data from AtlasIntel, a reputable polling firm, consistently demonstrated Trump’s strength on education-related issues. Despite this clear signal, Democrats appear unwilling to adjust course, instead doubling down on policies that alienate families and lack logical foundation.
Recent legislative actions in several states exemplify this disconnect:
* In Colorado, lawmakers recently passed House Bill 25-1312 and House Bill 25-1309. The first bill raises serious concerns about potential parental rights violations by allowing for the removal of custody from parents who do not affirm their child’s gender identity. The second mandates health insurance coverage for “gender-affirming care,” including surgical procedures and hormone treatments, even rejecting a Republican amendment to exclude minors. These bills were pushed through during a special Sunday session—a move criticized as insensitive to families—and with limited debate due to the invocation of Rule 16.
Representative Yara Zokaie (D-Colorado) infamously compared parental groups opposing House Bill 25-1312 to the Ku Klux Klan, illustrating the increasingly hostile approach taken by some Democrats towards dissenting voices.
* Illinois is considering House Bill 2827, which seeks to regulate homeschooling. Despite over 42,000 citizens voicing their opposition through witness slips—a resounding demonstration of public disapproval—the bill advanced on a party-line vote. Passage would potentially impose severe penalties, including fines and even jail time, for noncompliance, representing an unwarranted intrusion into family autonomy.
* In Washington State, Democrats rejected an amendment to House Bill 1296 that would have mandated immediate parental notification in cases of sexual misconduct involving students and school employees. Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) further asserted that children over the age of 13 should be empowered to make their own healthcare decisions without parental consent or awareness.
* West Virginia Democrats uniformly opposed a Parents’ Bill of Rights, which would have ensured basic transparency and control for families regarding their children’s education.
Nationally, Democratic opposition to the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act further underscores this pattern. Even former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has acknowledged shortcomings within his party, regretting the academic and mental health consequences of prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown that these closures disproportionately impacted low-income students while contributing to increased rates of anxiety and depression among children. While teachers’ unions—the NEA and AFT—were instrumental in advocating for these closures and provide substantial financial support to Democratic campaigns, Emanuel’s admission highlights a growing concern within the political landscape.
Trump effectively recognized this shift in sentiment. Parents are increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as the influence of powerful unions and bureaucratic entities turning schools into ideological battlegrounds. His focus on school choice resonates strongly with families seeking alternatives. His stance against transgender policies in competitive sports, coupled with his rejection of CRT-DEI curricula, aligns with widespread public opinion. The AtlasIntel polls indicating Trump’s success in education were not merely statistical anomalies; they signified a fundamental realignment within the electorate.
Public sentiment consistently supports these positions:
* A New York Times/Ipsos poll revealed that 79% of Americans oppose allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports, including 67% of Democrats.
* A Center Square poll found that 59% support a federal ban on puberty blockers and gender reassignment surgeries for minors.
* A Washington Post/KFF poll indicated that 68% of adults oppose the use of puberty blockers for children aged 10 to 14.
* RealClear Opinion Research shows that 71% favor nationwide school choice initiatives, with support across both Democratic (66%) and Republican (80%) demographics.
Despite this clear mandate, Democrats continue on a trajectory that alienates families. While Illinois Representative La Shawn Ford voiced concerns about the overreach of House Bill 2827, party leadership remains beholden to unions and seemingly oblivious to the demands for change expressed by voters. Trump’s nine-point victory among parents was not accidental; it represents a clear mandate for policies that prioritize family choice, foundational skills, and student safety—not ideological coercion or secrecy.
Democrats have an opportunity to adapt: to acknowledge past mistakes, embrace diverse solutions, and respect the biological realities of childhood. However, they appear to be betting on parental apathy. They are mistaken. The 2024 election served as a warning; the rise of what some call the “Parents’ Party” is underway, and unless Democrats demonstrate a willingness to listen and adapt, they risk continued electoral losses and further alienation from the very people they claim to represent.
