In exploring the impact of economic problems on public opinion, scholarship has nearly exclusively focused on personal and national economic experiences. At present, little to no research analyzes the impact of economic distress within one’s social network on an individual’s attitudes. Drawing upon network and contact theories, it is argued that financial hardship experienced vicariously through one’s friends should influence an individual’s views about the political economy, and ultimately, their economic policy preferences, such as support for redistribution. Utilizing national survey data, this article demonstrates that having economically distressed friends heightens perceived class-based bias in the political system—namely, that the rich have undue influence over politics. Further, moderated regression analysis reveals that this effect depends upon the prevalence of political discussion within one’s friendship network. Finally, mediation analysis reveals that, by heightening perceived class-based bia...