Democrat

Democrat usually refers to a member of the Democratic Party of the United States, one of the two major U.S. political parties. The term can also describe a supporter of democracy, but in American politics it most often denotes party affiliation.

The Democratic Party traces its origins to the Democratic-Republican Party and emerged as a distinct organization around Andrew Jackson in the 1820s. It became a durable force in U.S. politics, competing with the Republican Party since the mid-19th century. Its coalitions and policy priorities have shifted over time, notably with the New Deal in the 1930s and the civil rights era in the 1960s.

Historically, the party has supported social welfare programs, labor rights, and regulatory policies, and it has generally backed civil rights and expanded access to healthcare and education. In recent decades it has emphasized environmental protection, progressive taxation on higher incomes, immigration reform, and multilateral diplomacy, though policy emphasis varies by faction and leader.

Organization: The party operates at national, state, and local levels. The Democratic National Committee coordinates platform development, fundraising, and campaigns. Primaries and caucuses select delegates to the Democratic National Convention, where a presidential nominee is chosen. The party competes with the Republicans for control of federal, state, and local offices and contains a range of factions from moderates to progressives.