Only about 1% of US lawmakers are working class. Here’s what keeps workers out of office

NewsWorldAmericasUS politicsOnly about 1% of US lawmakers are working class. Here’s what keeps workers out of officeThe fact that so few former workers hold elected office means that working-class interests often fall by the wayside in the world’s political institutionsNoam Lupu The Conversation & Nicholas CarnesThursday 20 August 2026 21:06 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b3036649","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/us-lawmakers-working-class-aoc-troy-jackson-b3036649.html","title":"Only about 1% of US lawmakers are working-class "}}CloseAOC won't rule out 2028 presidential bid as poll shows her leading all Dems in key NH primarySign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inboxGet our free Inside Washington emailGet our free Inside Washington emailEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"pianoFieldName":"receiveInsideWashingtonNews","regTitle":"Inside Washington","subscriptionGroup":"inside_washington","subscriptionGroupId":"af764e04-87eb-45e6-a84b-a7455ba70a1e","type":"inside_washington","pathPrefix":"/news/world/americas/us-politics","associatedAuthors":["Eric Garcia","John Bowden"],"title":"Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox","mobileTitle":"Get our free Inside Washington email","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/insideWashington1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveInsideWashington","regSour...