Rev. William J. Barber II: A Blueprint for Democratic Revival in Trump’s Second Term

As Democrats grapple with Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 election, questions loom about how the party can regain its footing. Trump’s narrow popular vote margin, combined with sweeping victories in seven swing states, has forced Democrats to confront their failure to connect with working-class and Latino voters. Amid this reflection, one influential evangelical leader offers a potential path forward.

Rev. William J. Barber II, often likened to Martin Luther King Jr., has dedicated his life to championing poor and working-class Americans. Known for his eloquence and leadership, Barber is the recipient of a MacArthur “genius grant” and co-leader of the Poor People’s Campaign, which advocates for solutions to persistent poverty through expanded healthcare, higher wages, and union rights.

Barber’s impact extends beyond advocacy—he has shown Democrats how to secure political wins in traditionally conservative areas. As the founder of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School and Repairers of the Breach, Barber trains social justice leaders while continuing to promote his vision of multiracial, multiclass coalitions.

His transformative work in North Carolina stands out. As a leader of the “Moral Mondays” movement, Barber united racially diverse communities to challenge Republican dominance, helping to oust a GOP governor and reshape the state’s political landscape. While Harris lost North Carolina in 2024, Democrats secured key victories, winning races for governor and attorney general, while the Republican majority in the state legislature weakened.

Barber’s strategy, which he calls “fusion politics,” emphasizes building coalitions that transcend traditional ideological divides. He argues that racism, often seen as a problem affecting only Black Americans, has historically been used to harm working-class White communities as well. “Racism may target Black people,” Barber says, “but it damns a democracy, and it damns humanity.”

For Democrats seeking to expand their base and reclaim ground in swing states, Barber’s approach offers valuable lessons. By focusing on economic justice and fostering unity across racial and class lines, his vision could help the party reconnect with disenfranchised voters and navigate the challenges of Trump’s second term.