We use detailed Swedish data to compare patterns of labor market experiences between political candidates from four party families. These pattens align with Kitschelt’s (1994) theory on how labor market experiences shape political ideology. Candidates in traditional left and right parties differ in experiences predicted to drive left–right ideology: Social Democrats own less capital and work in the public sector, whereas Conservatives are more likely to own or manage private businesses. The new left and right parties differ mainly in experiences predicted to drive authoritarian–libertarian ideology: Green Party politicians more often hold human-interactive jobs (e.g., teachers, nurses, and other health professionals) and are more likely to be women with tertiary education, whereas Sweden Democrat politicians are more likely to hold object-manipulating, routine jobs with little autonomy (e.g., machine and vehicle operators). These patterns of common experiences within parties have implications for policy platforms, party stability, and ideological cohesion.