Capitol Pulse Breakdown: Dating

We get asked all the time if CNCT is a dating app… it’s not.

But just this once, we’ll play Cupid. Today, we’re in the business (okay, maybe the math) of love. We crunched the numbers and are giving you the real scoop on what dating in D.C. actually looks like.

Over the course of Capitol Pulse’s lifetime, we have asked quite a few dating questions that are a little revealing and totally unexpected!

Let’s start with the timeless deal breaker: kids. 👶

If you're dating a Republican, chances are they’ve already picked out baby names and bookmarked the best school districts. A whopping 80% of them say having children is very important. Democrats? Not so fast. They’re split between “maybe someday” and “absolutely not.”

What surprised us most? The gender divide. 77% of male staffers of both parties say having kids is very important where only 50% of women agreed kids were very important.

Now that we’ve tackled the “if,” let’s talk about the “how many? ”

We asked staffers: "How many kids do you want?" 

If your significant other leans red, buckle up for a full carpool schedule and lots of sleep deprivation: 60% of Republicans want three or more.

Dems, on the other hand, are either going minimalist or full DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) — with 50% saying they want zero. That’s compared to just 13% of Republicans.

And age plays a factor too:

Staffers under 30 were 50% more likely to want multiple kids than the over-30 crowd, who seem to be feeling the “no kids” vibe — either from realism… or exhaustion. 🍼😅

Meanwhile, only 2% of all staffers said they want just one kid. (As an only child writing this, I’m not offended… just validated.) Looks like both parties can agree that only children are weirdos!

Alright, maybe we skipped a few steps…

Who actually wants to date who in the first place?

People have preferences, and they’re almost split straight down party lines. Can love cross the aisle? 🧐

67% of Republicans say yes.

Democrats? Only 44% are open to dating someone from the other side.

There’s a generational divide too: Under-30s are slightly more flexible, but not by much. And fellas—if you vote red, be warned: Most left-leaning women are swiping left before they even get to your fish pics. 🐟🚫 (Piece of advice: They probably would’ve swiped left at that point anyways… but we digress.)

Now let’s talk non-negotiables.

For Republicans, it’s less about political agreement and more about shared faith—72% want a partner who shares their religion.

Democrats? Way more relaxed about religious alignment.

Younger folks under 30 are more open, but still value faith—just a little less rigidly. And interestingly, across the board, men rated religion as more important than women did.

Now for the vertical elephant in the room: height. 📏

Yes, it does matter—but mostly if you’ve been dating long enough to have a chiropractor.

Over-30s were nearly twice as likely to say they have a “type” when it comes to height. Maybe years in the dating trenches just sharpen your preferences.

And surprise, surprise:

Women overwhelmingly say height is a factor.

Men? They’re doubling down on “personality.” 😅

So, what’s the takeaway?

In today’s dating game, finding love might hinge less on sparks and more on ballots, Bibles, baby fever, and… a measuring tape.

For more breakdowns, tune in on Wednesdays and Fridays during August recess.

And, if you ever have a Capitol Pulse question you’d like us to ask, please feel free to contact us with your suggestions!