Hey John,

We’re giving you a rare behind-the-scenes look at what voters are really thinking. It’s clear the public isn’t buying what Republicans are selling. New Change Research and Embold polling this month uncovered key insights:

The "Big Beautiful Bill" is a bust.
Only 13% of voters strongly support it. A staggering 85% of Democrats and 50% of independents strongly oppose it—mainly because of tax cuts for the wealthy and devastating Medicaid cuts.

Two aspects of the “Big Beautiful Bill” stand out as particularly troubling for voters across the political spectrum: tax cuts for the wealthy and cuts to Medicaid that could leave millions uninsured.

According to recent National polling, 45% of voters rank the bill’s disproportionate tax breaks for the wealthy among their top three concerns. Right behind that, 43% of voters are deeply alarmed by the estimated 7 to 10 million Americans who could lose their health coverage due to sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

These concerns aren’t limited to just one political party they cut across partisan lines.

Among Democrats, opposition is overwhelming.

The vast majority, 85% rate their support for the bill as just 1 out of 10, signaling intense disapproval. For these voters, the idea of slashing Medicaid while handing out massive tax cuts to the ultra-rich is not just bad policy—it’s morally indefensible.

Independents are also sounding the alarm.

Nearly half (47%) say their top concern is that the bill unfairly benefits the wealthy. An even greater share, 48% are most worried about the potential loss of health coverage due to Medicaid cuts. These two issues top their list of complaints, outpacing even the massive deficit increases the bill would create (44% cited the growing deficit as a key concern).

Republicans, meanwhile, express a different kind of frustration.

While 39% list the ballooning deficit as a major concern, 53% say what bothers them most is that the bill doesn't go far enough in cutting federal spending.

There is an ideological split here: some Republicans are dismayed by the bill’s fiscal irresponsibility, while others believe it should have taken even more aggressive steps to reduce government programs.

In short, this bill has sparked widespread dissatisfaction, not just for what it includes, but for what it prioritizes. Whether it's perceived giveaways to the wealthy or the risk of stripping millions of Americans of their health coverage, voters across the board are concerned that this legislation is deeply out of touch with their values and priorities.

In the aftermath of 2024, it's clear that the Democratic Party needs to prioritize understanding voters and where they stand. If we hope to flip seats in 2026, the work of building up our messaging begins today. 

Our party relies on fundraising for all of our programmatic elements, including polling. If you want to help us conduct more Oklahoma based polls, please consider making a donation today.

It's clear that Democrats have to lace up their gloves and get into the ring. We have to use our platforms, our space, our time, and our personal social media to fight back. Democrats have to get better at being the loud opposition, not just in Congress but right here on our own screens. 

We need to become the loud, relentless opposition.

If you're ready to step up, check out the Poster Project. They're creating bold, shareable graphics that give voters and advocates the facts they need to challenge the spin and speak the truth.

We have to shake people. It's time people realize what they voted for. That's going to take all of us getting a whole hell of a lot louder. 

I'm proud to be in this fight with you,

With Defiance,

Lauren Craig

OKDEMS Interim Executive Director

We are Democratic strong, powered by grassroots efforts and activists of this Great State. Our mission is to fight for Oklahoma’s most vulnerable communities, protect working families and ensure that we live up to the promises of the Oklahoma dream.