Donald Trump appears to be regaining momentum in his bid for the presidency, while the Kamala Harris campaign faces increasing challenges as Election Day approaches. With less than three weeks remaining until the vote, concerns are mounting among Democratic leaders about losing support from Black and Hispanic voters—demographics they have historically relied on.

Traditionally, Democrats have maintained the belief that as the nation becomes more diverse, their party would naturally benefit from this demographic shift. Historically, a significant majority of Hispanic and Asian voters, along with a substantial portion of Black voters, have supported Democratic candidates. This understanding has shaped the party’s progressive platform, which emphasizes identity politics and the importance of race in political discourse.

However, recent trends suggest that voters of color are gravitating towards the Republican Party. This shift has caught many Democrats off guard, especially during a presidential election featuring a non-white, female candidate at the helm. Former President Barack Obama recently addressed this issue in Pittsburgh, expressing concern about Black men’s enthusiasm for Harris. He noted that many “aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” a statement some critics argue may alienate voters further.

Kamala Harris has attempted to engage with minority communities through various media outlets, promoting initiatives such as forgivable loans for minority-owned small businesses and the decriminalization of cannabis. Critics, however, see this approach as an oversimplification, suggesting that it implies Black male votes can be swayed with financial incentives and cultural references.

Jim Clyburn, a prominent Democratic congressman from South Carolina, voiced his worries about Black men potentially opting to abstain from voting or supporting Trump. Notably, Harris is polling worse among Black voters than Hillary Clinton did in her unsuccessful campaign against Trump in 2016. Recent polling indicates a significant rightward shift among minority voters, particularly among non-college-educated Black men, where Democratic support has dropped markedly.

The drop in support among Hispanic voters is equally striking. Eight years ago, Democrats enjoyed a substantial advantage among non-college-educated Hispanic voters, but that margin has shrunk dramatically. Trump’s share of the Black vote has increased from 8% in 2020 to 15% in the latest polling, with even higher support among Black men. Among Hispanic men, Trump is nearly even with Harris, despite her two-to-one lead among Hispanic women.

While a majority of voters of color are expected to cast ballots for Democrats, the margins are far from the sweeping victories the party has historically relied upon. Polling data reveals disillusionment among Black voters, with only 78% currently indicating support for Harris compared to Biden’s 89% in key swing states four years ago. As the race tightens in critical battlegrounds, the potential for minority voter defection poses a significant risk for the Democrats.

The shift in voter sentiment highlights a broader concern regarding the Democratic Party’s reliance on identity politics. Many minority voters appear to prioritize economic issues over racial identity, sharing common frustrations with working-class white voters. The perception that the Democratic Party caters to an affluent elite, detached from the struggles of ordinary Americans, is contributing to this discontent.

This dynamic echoes historical trends where once-reliable Democratic constituencies, such as working-class Americans of various ethnic backgrounds, have shifted towards conservative ideologies as their socioeconomic status improved. The current landscape suggests that minority voters are increasingly aligning with Trump’s policies, particularly on issues like crime and immigration—areas where they feel the Democratic Party has fallen short.

As November 5 approaches, the Democratic Party must recognize that it can no longer take minority voters for granted. With changing dynamics and evolving priorities, the outcome of the election may hinge on how effectively both parties can respond to the concerns of these crucial voter blocs.