Searchlight Institute
Disrupt rigidity. Think Big. Spark a Realignment.
- Searchlight’s Marc Dunkelman on how newly-elected leaders in New Jersey and Virginia can work to restore trust in government. “Democrats need to demonstrate to voters that when they are handed the reins, government gets better at solving real problems.”
- Affordable housing and prices were the two top priorities for voters heading into the final days of the New York City mayoral. Crime was third. Voters say Zohran Mamdani prioritized affordability more than Andrew Cuomo — who instead prioritized crime.
- Mamdani's focus on public transit and childcare also broke through. He likely benefited from voters identifying those issues as part of his wider platform on the cost of living. www.searchlightinstitute.org/research/how...
- We analyzed hundreds of ads, TikTok posts, and YouTube videos during the New York City mayoral. Affordability was mentioned in nearly 80% of Zohran Mamdani's content during the election. In all the content from Andrew Cuomo? Only a third. www.searchlightinstitute.org/research/how...
- “When a voter is unconvinced that a political party wants ‘good’ things for them, even the best crafted policies or messages quickly run up against a hard brick wall of resistance.” Read more here: searchlightinst.substack.com/p/the-chart-...
- We checked in on what voters think Democrats and Republicans want for them. The good news for Democrats is that they’re narrowly winning on “feeling stable in your personal life.” The bad news for them is that Republicans dominate on everything else: wealth, marriage, kids, and more.
- The bigger picture is grim across both parties: There was not a single issue a majority of Americans believed either party wanted for them.
- Read the full poll here: www.searchlightinstitute.org/research/che...
- 🚨We’re growing! Searchlight is hiring for two key roles to support our team. Apply here: www.searchlightinstitute.org/jobs/
- Conservatives spent decades building a talent pipeline. Liberals must build their own—or stay stuck playing defense. That's why we built the Searchlight fellowship program.
- Read here: searchlightinst.substack.com/p/liberals-h...
- We're looking for bold solutions to today's toughest challenges. Pitch us yours.
- Apply Here: searchlightinstitute.smapply.us
- After 2024’s crushing defeat, no real reckoning ever came. Damage Assessments will dig into the policies, practices, & strategies that left liberals in the minority—and map a path forward.
- Here is the prologue by our VP of Policy Tré Easton: searchlightinst.substack.com/p/its-time-f...
- many people are saying
- Our new poll captures a complexity about American voters: They view climate change as a problem, but they want leaders to prioritize addressing other issues like affordability and healthcare.
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View full threadRight now, voters across the country are seeing their energy bills skyrocket. They want leaders to prioritize immediate cost relief on their utility bills — not long-term solutions like energy upgrades or cheaper EVs.
- To read more about the poll, visit our webpage to read the analysis: www.searchlightinstitute.org/research/the...
- These results mirror a January @nytimes.com poll that found voters ranking economic issues as their top focus, but seeing neither the Democratic nor Republican Parties matching their issue priorities: www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/u...
- The reality is that the words “climate change” are polarizing. Mentioning “climate change” opens up a 50-point gap in support between Republicans and Democrats not present on other issues—like developing new energy sources or lowering energy prices.
- The top issues that battleground voters say leaders should focus on today are affordability, healthcare, and jobs. But when asked which top three issues they think the Democratic Party is focused on, they say climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, and healthcare:
- Elected officials can and should lead on issues that they care deeply about, even if they are out of step with public opinion. However, leaders should be clear about where the public stands and not be fooled into thinking an issue is popular when it is not.
- Americans agree that housing is too expensive. But they aren’t sure that an increase in supply will lead to lower prices:
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View full threadFor more thoughts on this poll, check our substack from Charlotte: searchlightinst.substack.com/p/our-first-...
- For more on our data principles and commitment to data transparency: www.searchlightinstitute.org/research/on-...
- On solutions, Americans are mixed. They are most supportive of requiring local governments to approve housing that meets their standards and making permitting for new housing faster and easier, but they still really like parking spaces:
- To read more about the poll, visit our webpage to read the analysis written by our Director of Analytics @charlotteeffect.bsky.social www.searchlightinstitute.org/research/wha...
- So who/what do Americans blame for high housing prices? They think the primary drivers of high costs are investors using housing for profit, the high cost of building materials, and the rent-setting power of landlords.
- The 2030 Census is around the corner. If governors in states that are bleeding residents are serious about maintaining their representation, they can use their executive power to build housing.
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View full threadEven incremental progress could have outsized impact. Recent history has shown that the difference between gaining or losing a congressional seat is a matter of just a few thousand people.
- Check out our paper on the topic by Aaron Shroyer, Chad Maisel, Olivia Reneau, and Scott Moore searchlightinstitute.org/wp-content/u...
- Between 2020 and 2024, California lost over 1 million residents, with high housing costs consistently cited as a leading driver of outmigration.
- A Freddie Mac analysis found that metro areas with large home price increases — such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York — experienced the greatest net outflows, while more affordable cities like Dallas, Atlanta, and Tampa attracted strong net inflows.
- Ideas matter. Throughout history, new ideas have spelled the end of one era and the beginning of another, rearranging political coalitions and sparking realignments. Today, we believe that a realignment is not just possible, but necessary. We invite you to join us.
