# Democratic Party (United States)

| Democratic Party  |
| --- |
|  |
| Chairperson | Ken Martin |
| Governing body | Democratic National Committee |
| Senate Minority Leader | Chuck Schumer |
| House Minority Leader | Hakeem Jeffries |
| Founders | * Andrew Jackson
* Martin Van Buren
 |
| Founded | January 8, 1828 (1828-01-08) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Preceded by | Democratic-Republican Party |
| Headquarters | 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Student wing | * High School Democrats of America
* College Democrats of America
 |
| Youth wing | Young Democrats of America |
| Women's wing | National Federation of Democratic Women |
| Overseas wing | Democrats Abroad |
| Ideology | * Liberalism (US)
* **Factions: Centrism
* Progressivism (US)
 |
| Political position | Center-left |
| Caucuses | Blue Dog Coalition New Democrat Coalition Congressional Progressive Caucus |
| Colors |   Blue |
| Senate | 45 / 100 |
| House of Representatives | 212 / 435 |
| State governors | 23 / 50 |
| State upper chambers | 833 / 1,973 |
| State lower chambers | 2,391 / 5,413 |
| Territorial governors | 2 / 5 |
| Seats in Territorial upper chambers | 21 / 97 |
| Seats in Territorial lower chambers | 9 / 91 |
| Election symbol |
|  |
| Website |
| democrats.org |
| * Politics of the United States
* Political parties
 |

The **Democratic Party** is one of the two biggest political parties in the United States. Since the mid-1850's, the party's main opponent has been the Republican Party. Both political parties have controlled American politics ever since.

## Overview

The party sits at the center to center-left of the American political spectrum, with the Republican Party being positioned to their right.

Every four years, the party holds a National Convention where they agree on their candidate for president. The Democratic National Committee coordinates most of the activities of the Democratic Party in all 50 United States. Since Andrew Jackson's inauguration in 1829, there have been 16 Democratic presidents. The most recent is Joe Biden who took office as the 46th president of the United States in January 2021. The Democratic Party represents a broad spectrum of liberal and left-wing ideologies, including but not limited to classical liberalism, social democracy, progressivism, and social modern liberalism.

## Philosophy

Democrats, also sometimes called the left, liberals or progressives make up one of the two main political parties in the United States. A state where most voters vote for Democratic politicians is called a blue state. This comes from the party’s main color, which is blue, referring to a state supporting "blue" candidates.

### Role of government

Democrats believe in a strong government with social assistance programs to help members of society. They prefer diplomatic solutions to conflicts, and take generally multilateralist views on trade, believing that trade must be free, but fair to protect American workers, consumers, local communities, and the environment. Some Democrats are economic centrists.

### Social issues

Socially, most Democrats believe in sociocultural liberalism, taking pro-immigration, pro-marriage equality, and pro-choice views.

## Democratic beliefs

Currently, the Democratic Party is identified by progressivism, liberalism, and left-wing policies. Not all Democrats hold the same beliefs, but generally these are the things many Democrats support:

* Progressive income tax
* Higher corporate taxes and recapturing income from overseas profits
* Spending on business, education, infrastructure and clean energy
* Expanding spending on government programs
* Ending the death penalty
* Expanding rights to abortion
* Gun regulations to prevent citizens from hurting themselves and others with firearms
* Support same-sex marriage
* Universal healthcare
* Declare Washington D.C. an official state
* Helping students go to college or university for free without having to pay back the government
* Support Reparations
* Believe in allowing undocumented immigrants to work for their U.S Citizenship in the U.S. to stay, pay taxes, and oppose mass deportation

Most supporters for the Democratic Party come from states in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and the Pacific Coast areas of the US, as well as from the state of Hawaii, though they come from all over the United States.

## Symbols

The symbol of the Democratic Party is the donkey. Since the election of 2000, the color blue has become a symbol for Democrats.

Historically, Thomas Jefferson, whom the party claims as its founder, has been often seen as symbols of the Democratic Party, particularly emphasized in the annual celebrations of Jefferson Day Dinners held since the days of Andrew Jackson. As such, the Democratic Party is also often referred to as the “Party of Jefferson.”

## List of Democratic presidents

| # | President | Portrait | State | Term start | Term end | Years in office |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 7 | Andrew Jackson (1767–1845) |  | Tennessee | March 4, 1829 | March 4, 1837 | 8 years, 0 days |
| 8 | Martin Van Buren (1782–1862) |  | New York | March 4, 1837 | March 4, 1841 | 4 years, 0 days |
| 11 | James K. Polk (1795–1849) |  | Tennessee | March 4, 1845 | March 4, 1849 | 4 years, 0 days |
| 14 | Franklin Pierce (1804–1869) |  | New Hampshire | March 4, 1853 | March 4, 1857 | 4 years, 0 days |
| 15 | James Buchanan (1791–1868) |  | Pennsylvania | March 4, 1857 | March 4, 1861 | 4 years, 0 days |
| 17 | Andrew Johnson (1808–1875) |  | Tennessee | April 15, 1865 | March 4, 1869 | 3 years, 323 days |
| 22 | Grover Cleveland (1837–1908) |  | New York | March 4, 1885 | March 4, 1889 | 8 years, 0 days |
| 24 | March 4, 1893 | March 4, 1897 |
| 28 | Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) |  | New Jersey | March 4, 1913 | March 4, 1921 | 8 years, 0 days |
| 32 | Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) |  | New York | March 4, 1933 | April 12, 1945 | 12 years, 39 days |
| 33 | Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) |  | Missouri | April 12, 1945 | January 20, 1953 | 7 years, 283 days |
| 35 | John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) |  | Massachusetts | January 20, 1961 | November 22, 1963 | 2 years, 306 days |
| 36 | Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973) |  | Texas | November 22, 1963 | January 20, 1969 | 5 years, 59 days |
| 39 | Jimmy Carter (1924–2024) |  | Georgia | January 20, 1977 | January 20, 1981 | 4 years, 0 days |
| 42 | Bill Clinton (born 1946) |  | Arkansas | January 28, 1993 | January 20, 2001 | 8 years, 0 days |
| 44 | Barack Obama (born 1961) |  | Illinois | January 20, 2009 | January 20, 2017 | 8 years, 0 days |
| 46 | Joe Biden (born 1942) |  | Delaware | January 20, 2021 | January 20, 2025 | 4 years, 0 days |

## Select list of Democratic politicians

* Kamala Harris, 49th Vice President of the United States (2021-2025), U.S. Senator from California (2017-2021) and nominee for President in 2024
* Jasmine Crockett, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from TX-30 (2023-present)
* Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from NY-14 (2019-present)
* Summer Lee, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from PA-12 (2023-present)
* Lauren Underwood, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from IL-14 (2019-present)
* Emilia Sykes, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from OH-13 (2023-present)
* Ayanna Pressley, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from MA-7 (2019-present)
* Shontel Brown, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from OH-11 (2021-present)
* LaMonica McIver, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from NJ-10 (2024-present)
* Ilhan Omar, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from MN-5 (2019-present)
* Grace Meng, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from NY-6 (2013-present), Chair of Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (2025-present)
* Sarah McBride, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from DE-AL (2025-present)
* Sara Jacobs, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from CA-53 (2021-present)
* Wes Moore, 63rd Governor of Maryland (2023-present)
* Justin J. Pearson, member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 86th District (2023; 2023-present) and candidate for TN-9 (2026)
* Justin Jones, member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 52nd District (2023; 2023-present)
* Cory Booker, U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-present), 38th Mayor of Newark (2006-2013), Candidate for President in 2020
* Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States (2009-2017), U.S. Senator from Illionis (2005-2008)
* Gavin Newsom, 50th Governor of California (2019-present)
* Jim Clyburn, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from SC-6 (1993-present), former House Assistant Democratic Leader (2011-2019, 2023-2024) and former House Minority Whip (2007-2011, 2019-2023)
* Al Gore, 45th Vice President of the United States (1993-2001), U.S. Senator from Tennessee (1985-1993) and nominee for President in 2000
* Howard Dean, 79th Governor of Vermont (1991-2003), former chair of the DNC (2005-2009) and candidate for President in 2004
* John Kerry, 1st U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (2021-2024), 68th U.S. Secretary of State (2013-2017), former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1985-2013), and nominee for President in 2004
* Patrick Leahy, former President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate (2012-2015, 2021-2023), former U.S. Senator (1975-2023), and Dean of the Senate from Vermont
* Christopher Dodd, former U.S. Senator from Connecticut (1981-2011), former General Chair of the DNC (1995-1997) and candidate for President in 2008
* Mario Cuomo, 52nd Governor of New York (1987-1994)
* Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator from Illionis (1997-present), Senate Minority Whip (2005-2007, 2015-2021, 2025-present), former Senate Majority Whip (2007-2015, 2021-2025)
* George Moscone, 37th Mayor of San Francisco (1976-1978)
* Harvey Milk, former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (1978)
* Hillary Clinton, 67th U.S. Secretary of State (2009-2013), former U.S. Senator from New York (2001-2009), First Lady of the United States (1993-2001) and nominee for President in 2016
* Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (2023-present), Leader of the House Democratic Caucus (2023-present), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from NY-8 (2013-present)
* William M. Daley, 24th White House Chief of Staff (2011-2012), 32nd U.S. Secreatry of Commerce (1997-2000)
* Frank Lautenberg, former U.S. Senator from New Jersey (1982-2001, 2003-2013)
* Pat Quinn, 41st Governor of Illinois (2009-2015)
* Paul Simon, former U.S. Senator from Illionis (1985-1997) and candidate for President in 1988
* Arlen Specter, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania (1981-2011)
* Tom Bradley, 38th Mayor of Los Angeles (1985-1997) and unsuccessful nominee for Governor of California in 1982 and 1986
* London Breed, 45th Mayor of San Francisco (2017-2018, 2018-2025)
* Karen Bass, 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles (2013-present) and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from CA-37 (2011-2022)
* Richard M. Daley (Illinois), 54th Mayor of Chicago (1989-2011), son of former mayor Richard J. Daley and brother of former Secreatry of Commerce William M. Daley.
* Richard J. Daley (Illinois), 48th Mayor of Chicago (1955-1976), father of former mayor Richard J. Daley and former Secreatry of Commerce William M. Daley.
* John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States (1961-1963), U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1953-1960) and older brother of Robert F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy
* Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Senator from New York (1965-1968), Candidate for President in 1968, younger brother of John F. Kennedy and older brother of Ted Kennedy
* Ted Kennedy, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1962-2009) and candidate for President in 1980. Younger brother of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy
* Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States (1963-1969), 37th Vice President of the United States (1961-1963), U.S. Senator from Texas (1949-1961), Senate Majority Leader (1955-1961)
* Daniel Inouye, former President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate (2010-2012), former U.S. Senator (1963-2012), and Dean of the Senate (2010-2012) from Hawaii
* Martin Van Buren, 8th President of the United States (1837-1841) and 8th Vice President of the United States (1833-1837) from New York
* Steny Hoyer, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from MD-5 (1981-present), former House Majority Leader (2007-2011, 2019-2023) and former House Minority Whip (2003-2007, 2011-2019)
* Robert Byrd, former President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate (1989-1995, 2001, 2001-2003, 2007-2010), former U.S. Senator (1959-2010), and Dean of the Senate (2003-2010) from West Virginia
* Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2013-present) and candidate for president in 2020
* Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator from Virginia (2013-present), 70th Governor of Virginia (2006-2010), Former Chairman of the DNC (2006-2009) and nominee for Vice President in 2016
* Dennis Kucinich, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from OH-10 (1997-2013)
* Janet Napolitano, 3rd U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (2009-2013), 21st Governor of Arizona (2003-2009)
* Brian Schweitzer, 23rd Governor of Montana (2005-2009)
* Harry Reid, U.S. Senator (1987-2017), former Senate Majority Leader (2007-2015), former Senate Minority Leader (2005-2007, 2015-2017) from Nevada
* Harry F. Byrd, U.S. Senator from Virginia (1933-1965), father of former longtime U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr.
* Harry F. Byrd, Jr., U.S. Senator from Virginia (1965-1983), son of former longtime U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd.
* Bill Richardson, 30th Governor of New Mexico (2003-2011), 9th U.S. Secretary of Energy (1998-2001)
* Debbie Wasserman Schultz, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from FL-20 (2005-present), former chairwomen of the DNC (2011-2016)
* Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia (2009-present), 70th Governor of Virginia (2002-2006)
* Rahm Emanuel, 22nd U.S. Ambassador to Japan (2022-2025), 55th Mayor of Chicago (2011-2019), 23rd White House Chief of Staff (2009-2010)
* Nancy Pelosi, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California (1987-present), 60th and 63rd Speaker of the House (2007-2011, 2019-2023)
* Chuck Schumer (New York), U.S. Senator from New York (1999-present), Senate Minority Leader (2017-2021, 2025-present), former Senate Majority Leader (2021-2025)
* Bob Menendez, former U.S. Senator from New York (2006-2024)

## Independents who work with Democrats

* Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007-present) and candidate for President in 2016 and 2020
* Angus King, U.S. Senator from Maine (2013-present), 72nd Governor of Maine (1995-2003)

## List of former Democrats

President Ronald Reagan
* Ronald Reagan (California), 40th President of the United States (1981–1989). Registered Democrat until 1962.
* Condoleezza Rice (Alabama), 66th United States Secretary of State (2005–2009). Registered Democrat until 1982.
* Rudy Giuliani (New York), 107th Mayor of New York City (1994–2001). Registered Democrat until 1975.
* Rick Perry (Texas), 14th United States Secretary of Energy (2017–2019), 47th Governor of Texas (2000–2015). Registered Democrat until 1989.
* Jesse Helms (North Carolina), United States Senator (1973–2003). Registered Democrat (1942–1970).
* Donald Trump (New York), 45th and 47th President of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present). Registered Democrat on and off until 2009.
* Tulsi Gabbard, 8th Director of National Intelligence (2025-present), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from HI-1 (2013-2021), former Vice Chair of the DNC (2013-2016) and candidate for president in 2020. Registered Democrat until 2022. Joined the Republican Party in 2024
* Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 26th U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2025-present) and nominee for President in 2024. Registered Democrat until 2024

## Related pages

* Libertarian Party
* Democratic-Republican Party

## Other websites

* Official website