Democrat Chris Murphy Says $25 Minimum Wage Could Win Back Trump Voters [View all]

Source: Newsweek

Jun 28, 2026 at 11:21 AM EDT


Senator Chris Murphy argued Sunday that an increase in the federal minimum wage could be the key to rebuilding the Democratic coalition, including winning back working-class voters who supported President Donald Trump in the last election.

During an interview on NBC News' Meet the Press, the Connecticut Democrat pointed to his proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour, calling it a “unifying issue” that could resonate across party lines.

"I think we have to understand that people do not believe that this version of capitalism has worked. And frankly, it hasn't worked," he explained. "You have 40 percent of Americans today that are working full-time and don't have enough money saved up in the bank for an emergency car repair."

The federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Murphy’s push highlights an ongoing debate within the Democratic Party over how to balance progressive economic policies with broad electoral appeal ahead of upcoming election cycles like this year's midterms.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/democrat-chris-murphy-says-25-minimum-wage-could-win-back-trump-voters-12132502