Why Democrats are amplifying corruption talk: A historical strategy for parties out of power

Corruption has emerged as a dominant theme in campaign ads for the 2026 midterm elections, with Democratic candidates particularly amplifying anti-corruption rhetoric. In New Hampshire, Democratic Senate candidate Chris Pappas has centered his campaign on integrity, highlighting his opposition to corporate PAC money, congressional stock trading, and AI-driven price discrimination. Meanwhile, a super PAC supporting his Republican opponent, John Sununu, has accused Pappas of corruption, citing his service on a House committee overseeing Uber while his husband, a former lobbyist, holds an executive policy role at the company.

Data from political analyst Lindsey Cormack’s DCinbox Substack reveals that Democrats are now discussing corruption six times more frequently in constituent emails than in 2022, and four times more than Republicans in 2026. This surge in anti-corruption messaging suggests a deliberate strategic shift rather than a response to a sudden increase in actual corruption cases.

Experts note that this corruption talk often serves as a proxy for broader critiques of governance and elite behavior, rather than addressing specific wrongdoing. Political scientists separate corruption into three categories: transactional (clear illegal acts like bribery), moral (perceived untrustworthiness), and systemic (flaws in institutional structures). The current rhetoric frequently blurs these distinctions, framing opposition figures as inherently corrupt without citing concrete evidence.

Historical analysis, including research from the book *American Corruption Talk* by the authors, shows that parties out of power disproportionately employ corruption rhetoric to avoid ideological divides or distance themselves from party leadership. It also serves as a tool to delegitimize opponents by implying they are untrustworthy regardless of specific actions.

For Democrats, this strategy may help sidestep internal divisions on contentious issues like Israel policy while still signaling opposition to the Trump administration’s conduct. Direct references to former President Donald Trump are rare in these ads, likely because substantive discussions of his alleged violations—such as the emoluments clause or conflicts of interest—are difficult to condense into brief messaging.

Instead, broad corruption narratives—like claims of a declining nation or out-of-touch elites—allow Democrats to appeal to anti-Trump voters while avoiding direct confrontation. This approach mirrors historical patterns, such as the Progressive Era, when reformers used corruption talk to address economic inequality and political polarization without overtly partisan framing.

While Trump’s presidency has indeed been marked by numerous controversies—from family financial dealings to Cabinet conflicts of interest and ties to disgraced figures like Jeffrey Epstein—this election’s corruption discourse appears to prioritize strategic messaging over detailed accountability.

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