From the HERE City National Desk
WASHINGTON — With less than a month until Election Day, the economy is the dominant issue for midterm voters, and a new national voter panel shows Americans across the political spectrum also wrestling with immigration enforcement, healthcare and the war in Iran as they prepare to deliver a first national verdict on Donald Trump second presidency.
On 3 November, millions of Americans will vote in midterm elections to decide control of the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the governorships in 36 states. A survey of registered voters finds that 84% of registered voters say the economy is very important to their midterm vote. It is the top issue among both voters who prefer Republican candidates in the congressional elections (82%) and those who back Democrats (88%).
Clear majorities of Republican and Democratic voters also say the future of democracy is very important to their vote, though Democrats are more likely to say this than Republicans (85% vs. 69%, respectively). The two largest partisan gaps across 16 issues asked are on investigations into Trump and his administration and on environmental and climate policy.
Reporters have interviewed nine voters across the country and the political spectrum about the issues that matter to them, from the cost of living, immigration and healthcare to the war in Iran and whether they trust their political leaders. Justin Daniels, an economics student in Detroit, said people seem to be getting further and further behind despite working more, and that filling his gas two weeks ago, two months ago, was $80. Now, it’s $120.
Yajaira Martinez of Pharr, Texas, an independent and disaffected Trump voter, said her biggest hit is labor shortages that slow housing work and push interest rates and values higher. Scott Akridge of Marietta, Georgia, a Democrat, named ICE as having the largest negative impact. Caleb Davis of Greenville, South Carolina, a Republican, pointed to Greenland strategy and the Iran war as significant second-term moves.
Morgan Akin of Redding, California, a Democrat, said Americans are suffering with high gas prices and food prices and that it cost me $78 to fill it up for a Honda CRV. Sharon Anderson of Etowah, Tennessee, a Republican, said her life feels better and more hopeful even as gas prices remain a concern she sees as temporary.
