wedge issue

noun

1. an issue that divides or causes conflict in an otherwise unified group:

   Abortion is a wedge issue for the Republican Party.

wedge issue

noun

1. an issue that is likely to cause division between the members of a group

Word History and Origins

Origin of wedge issue¹

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

It’s possible crime emerges as a wedge issue in the 2022 midterms.

From FiveThirtyEight

Once a deeply divisive wedge issue that Republicans used to their political advantage, same-sex marriage has now reached an all-time high level of support among all Americans.

From FiveThirtyEight

A decade ago, gays were a wedge issue used by Republicans to energize the base.

From The Daily Beast

I asked Chaltain if he thought public charters could be a productive wedge issue for Republicans.

From The Daily Beast

Once a wedge issue that worked to the advantage of the GOP, gay marriage is now seen as benefiting the Democratic Party.

From The Daily Beast

In the 1970s, crime was a wedge issue: pushing white urban Democrats away from their black and liberal New Deal allies.

From The Daily Beast

This year, however, it has become a wedge issue in the presidential contest.

From The Daily Beast