The 2024 Presidential election will be crucial in determining the future of the economy. In key battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, the economy is a major concern for most voters when deciding whom to cast their ballot for.
A CBS News and YouGov poll revealed that in Michigan, 80% of voters identified the economy as a top issue. Other important issues for them included inflation (77%) and the state of democracy (72%). President Joe Biden currently holds a narrow lead over former President Donald Trump in the state.
Similarly, in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, 80% of voters ranked the economy as one of the top issues they care about in the upcoming election. Other lower-ranked topics included candidates’ positions on gun policy, crime, the U.S.-Mexico border, and abortion.
CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa emphasized how people interpret the economy differently and how it affects their economic well-being. Despite economic indicators like low unemployment, rising wages, and a strong stock market, about 6 in 10 people polled by CBS News rated the economy as “fairly bad” or “very bad.” This sentiment could present a challenge for Democrats hoping to attract working-class voters and union members away from Trump with a focus on labor issues.
Democrats are aware that Trump’s message on immigration can be appealing to working voters. To secure their support in key swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Democrats plan to emphasize their economic policies and focus on labor issues that matter most to these voters.