In a surprising turn of holiday polling, Democratic voters have signaled they prefer Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Kamala Harris over jolly old St. Nick himself.
A new JL Partners poll conducted for the Daily Mail reveals that the Independent senator from Vermont holds the highest net favorability among Democratic primary voters at 65 percent.
Former Vice President Harris follows closely behind with a 62 percent net favorability rating. Santa Claus, the universal figure of holiday cheer, trailed both political heavyweights, securing a net favorability of 59 percent.
The survey, conducted between December 17 and 19 among 383 Democratic primary voters, offers an early snapshot of the party’s mood as it looks toward the future. While Sanders and Harris sit comfortably at the top, other potential 2028 contenders show mixed results.
READ: The 2026 Ultimatum: Fox News’ Kilmeade Says Trump’s Economic Gamble Must Pay Off—Or Else
The Field Behind the Leaders
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted a net favorability of 46 percent, placing her firmly in the second tier of popularity. She was followed by two prominent governors: Minnesota’s Tim Walz, who sits at 40 percent, and California’s Gavin Newsom, who holds a 37 percent rating.
Further down the list, several other notable Democrats struggled to gain traction. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and former Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke all polled with net favorability ratings below 23 percent.
Holiday Grinches and Movie Debates
Beyond politics, the poll touched on lighter seasonal topics, revealing that some traditions may be wearing thin. Twenty-two percent of respondents said they were ready to ditch Christmas sweaters, while 15 percent want to see the end of “Elf on a Shelf.” Matching family pajamas also appear to be losing their charm, with 14 percent voting to scrap the trend.
READ: Florida Rep. Byron Donalds Forecasts Economic Surge, Slams ‘Blue State’ Tax Resistance
The survey also weighed in on the perennial pop-culture debate: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? According to this group, the answer is mostly no, with only 37 percent classifying the Bruce Willis action flick as a holiday film.
Broader Party Struggles
The results come amidst a challenging period for the Democratic Party. Recent polling data paints a picture of broader voter dissatisfaction. A CNN poll released in March 2025 indicated that the party’s overall favorability had dropped to 29 percent as it grappled with internal disputes and fundraising hurdles.
Furthermore, a Quinnipiac poll from July showed approval for the party’s Congressional leadership sitting at just 19 percent. More recently, a survey from the center-left think tank Third Way found that congressional Republicans hold a slight edge in favorability over Democrats, leading 42 percent to 40 percent.
READ: “Better Off Making A Deal Now”: Trump And Zelenskyy Edge Closer To Peace At Florida Summit
This latest data from JL Partners suggests that while individual figures like Sanders and Harris remain popular with the base, the party as a whole faces significant work to rebuild its standing with the wider electorate.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
