22 Interesting Facts about Democrats

Published February 5, 2020

Andrew Jackson, elected president of the United States in 1828, was the first member of the Democratic Party to be placed in the White House._[8]
Although the Democratic Party initially opposed the abolition of slavery, under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson in the 1960s and 70s, Democrats began to identify themselves with the goals of African Americans and other minorities._[5]
One major way in which the Democratic Party differs from the Republican Party is in their response to economic downturn and disasters: Democrats favor increases in federal spending to help the economy recover, whereas Republicans favor austerity._[11]
In 2019, 31% of US voters identified themselves as Democrat, while 30% identified themselves as Republican, and the largest percentage, 38%, identified themselves as being unaffiliated with either major party._[6]

While he was the first major public face of the Democratic Party, many of his stances and actions would likely not meet with approval of the current version of the party

The symbol of the Democratic Party, the donkey, originated during the election campaign of Andrew Jackson in 1828; opponents called him a jackass, and Jackson, finding it humorous, placed the donkey on his campaign posters._[8]
Since the creation of the Democratic Party, there have been 15 Democratic Presidents, out of 45 total._[3]
Famous Democrats include Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, and Leonardo DiCaprio, among many others._[7]
Modern Democrats generally support government intervention in economics but resist the regulation of non-economic choices of private citizens, such as sexual preferences and forms of marriage._[2]
Democrats tend to be concerned with social and economic equality._[2]
The Democratic Party began to favor government economic intervention as a result of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program, which proved effective in combating the Great Depression._[2]
The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the United States, although its stances and policies have changed significantly over time._[2]
From 1972 to 1988, the Democratic Party lost four out of five presidential elections to Republican candidates._[2]

Keeping the religious and secular apart is a mainstay of Democratic politics

Members of the Democratic Party tend to support a strong separation between church and state._[2]
Currently, most Democrats identify their priorities as resolving health care costs and ensuring Medicare remains available._[9]
In the early 2000s the Democratic Party was divided on the question of same-sex marriage. Today, three-quarters of the party's current members are in support of same-sex marriage._[9]
In a recent poll of historians ranking the top twenty US presidents, eight were members of the Democratic Party; of the remaining twelve, six were Republican, and six were members of parties that no longer exist._[4]
The Ku Klux Klan, which arose in the years immediately following the Civil War, was almost entirely made up of Southern white Democrats._[1]

Gun control and regulation is near the top of the list on Democrat priorities

The Democratic Party is generally in favor of strict gun regulation, advocates a pro-choice stance on abortion, and is often critical of capital punishment._[2]
The Democratic and Republican parties have switched ideological places over the past century and a half. Republicans such as Abraham Lincoln fought for a strong federal government, while Democrats advocated for state's rights and a small federal government._[1][2]
In the years leading up to and following the American Civil War, Democrats were, in general, the conservative party, with Republicans pushing for the abolition of slavery and an expansion of freedom and opportunity._[1]
As of December 2019, 28% of Americans identified as Democrats._[10]
The Democratic and Republican parties have become far more divided and, in many cases, antagonistic towards each other in the early 21st century. Political commentators note that the "culture wars" surrounding events like the election of Donald Trump have radicalized both the right and the left, leaving little common ground in the middle._[12]