Political journalist and analyst Bill Schneider said on Wednesday that the Republican Party is "bleeding educated, suburban voters" under President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE.

"We've been seeing that happen for a long time, including in the 2016 election," Schneider, who is a professor at George Mason University, told Hill.TV's Jamal Simmons on "What America's Thinking."

"We have a very odd relationship with the polls that's new in the polls since 2016, and Trump has caused this," he continued. "The wealthier you are, the more likely you are to be a Republican, but the better educated you are the more likely you are to be Democrat."

Schneider went on to say that Trump has turned off educated, wealthy Republicans, living in traditional Republican strongholds.

"In 2012, Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates GOP votes to authorize subpoenas, depositions in Obama-era probe Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' MORE was the prince of wealth, Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaGOP senator blocks Schumer resolution aimed at Biden probe as tensions run high D-Day for Trump: September 29 Obama says making a voting plan is part of 'how to quarantine successfully' MORE was the prince of education. That's a division that has become bigger and bigger particularly the differences by education," he said.

"Trump turns off a lot of well-educated, affluent Republican voters who live in suburbs like Fairfax County, Va., Montgomery County, Pa.," he continued.

Republicans will have to defend a slew of what have normally been safe districts for the GOP in November's midterm elections.

The GOP's troubles in suburban districts was illustrated earlier this month in the special House election for Ohio's 12th congressional district, which was deemed too close to call. Trump won the district in 2016 by 11 points.

An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released earlier this year showed Republican support among suburbanites dropping 7 points from 50 percent in February to 43 percent in March.

— Julia Manchester