Democrats are moving to capitalize on growing disillusionment among Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) voters ahead of the midterm elections, as activists in the movement express deep anger over the Trump administration's support for controversial pesticides.
Many MAHA supporters feel betrayed by President Trump's executive order prioritizing domestic production of glyphosate, the key ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, and by the administration's decision to side with drug company Bayer in a Supreme Court case over the chemical. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., once a crusader against glyphosate, has defended these moves, deepening the sense of betrayal among his former followers who helped Trump win the White House.
On Capitol Hill, tensions escalated over farm bill language that would have restricted lawsuits against pesticide companies. That language was removed via amendment Thursday, a win for critics, but the battle lines are drawn. Democrats are seizing the moment, seeing a natural alliance with MAHA voters on food and toxin issues.
“I have told many of my colleagues over the years ‘you’re crazy if you don’t talk to people about food and toxins,’” said Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a leading voice in the fight to strip the pro-pesticide language. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) this week introduced legislation to overturn Trump's glyphosate order.
At a recent rally outside the Supreme Court, Booker addressed MAHA activists, saying, “Don’t let the false narrative of the tribal politics distract you from the truth. This is not a left or right issue. This is a right or wrong issue.” Pingree directly criticized the Trump administration, stating, “They do not care for the health of our kids or the health of our farmers.”
The outreach comes as Democrats face their own internal challenges, including debates over withheld 2024 election autopsy findings and broader frustrations within the party. But on pesticide policy, they see a clear wedge issue.
During budget hearings, Democrats grilled Kennedy on his shift from activist to defender of the administration's policy. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) asked, “I’m just trying to understand, did the evidence change between now and then? I would like to make sure MAHA doesn’t become Make America Healthy When it’s Convenient Again.” Kennedy acknowledged “grave reservations” but said he understood the president's reasoning.
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) pressed Kennedy further: “When you were running to get the MAHA vote, you told people you’d stand up to chemical companies. You said that you would get these chemicals out of foods. And when the president issued this order, rather than trying to work to find alternatives, you just stood down instead of standing up.”
MAHA leaders are taking note. David Murphy, former finance director for Kennedy's presidential campaign, said, “There are some people that will not vote Republican again because of this, and it’s been very eye opening for them.” Zen Honeycutt, founder of Moms Across America, added, “Across the board, what I am seeing and hearing is, our moms will not vote for elected officials who support pesticide immunity.”
With the midterms approaching, Democrats are betting that this issue can peel away a key bloc of voters who helped deliver Trump's victory—and that the frustration over pesticides could reshape the political landscape.
