In the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, the economy is likely to be a decisive factor for voters in key battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. According to a recent poll by CBS News and YouGov, these voters rank the economy as their top issue in the upcoming election.
In Michigan, for instance, 80% of voters identified the economy as their top concern, followed closely by inflation (77%) and democracy (72%). President Joe Biden currently holds a narrow lead over former President Donald Trump in the state. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, 80% of voters also ranked the economy among their top issues. Other lower-ranked topics included candidates’ positions on gun policy, crime, U.S.-Mexico border issues, and abortion.
The complexity of how people interpret the economy was emphasized by CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa. Despite economic indicators such as low unemployment rates, rising wages, and a strong stock market, about 6 out of ten people polled rated the economy as “fairly bad” or “very bad.” This sentiment could pose a challenge for Democrats hoping to attract working-class voters away from Trump with a focus on labor issues.
Democrats are aware that Trump’s message on immigration can appeal to working voters. Therefore they need to emphasize their economic policies to sway these voters. By focusing on labor issues such as job creation and fair wages for workers; Democrats hope to secure support from key voter demographics in the upcoming election.