Adrianne Marsh: Rebuilding trust with voters beyond the "mutual firing squad"
Adrianne Marsh recently sat down with host Ryan Hennen from the Beer, Buds, and Big Sky Podcast to talk about rural voter research and Democratic political strategy. They discussed the challenges for Democrats trying to win in rural areas and the importance of remembering bedrock rural values like community bonds, hard work, independence, and connection to the land.
As Marsh observes, Democrats have shifted from being seen as an inclusive "gritty party" for working people to being perceived as an urban, elitist party that talks at, rather than with, rural voters. Both parties engage in "mutual firing squad" messaging that ultimately erodes trust and makes it harder to govern.
Usually it's not even our policies that are to blame. As Marsh notes, ballot initiative outcomes show that progressive policies can win even where Democratic candidates can't.
According to Marsh, part of the antidote is that Democrats need to start with active listening rather than immediately pushing policy solutions. She shares the stairway model of behavioral change that undergirds Altum's philosophy: only once you listen, show empathy, and build rapport, can you begin to influence voter behavior.
Marsh also discussed Altum's recent study that shows AI as a top concern for rural voters, alongside affordability. The concerns weren't primarily economic but values-based - about trust, authenticity, and protecting children. As Marsh described, this could be an opening for Democrats to start rebuilding trust and credibility among rural voters by bringing in consumer protection and regulations that can protect rural families.
Check out the episode on Youtube:
