Three Pennsylvania swing voters, Stephen, Colleen, and John, shared their insights and concerns as the midterm elections approach. These voters are part of an NPR project called Swing Shift, which aims to understand their perspectives without disclosing their full identities.
John: Concerns About Affordability
John, a 60-year-old resident of Northern Philadelphia, expressed his dissatisfaction with rising prices. He mentioned that the dollar stores, once promising low prices, have increased costs, partly due to tariffs.
“Well, it became the ‘$1.25 store’ under Biden,” John remarked.
John’s economic concerns extend beyond retail prices. Living with his wife and autistic adult son, he worries about homeownership and food costs. Despite financial stress, he considers himself fortunate compared to many others.
Although John once supported Trump, he now feels disappointed with the current administration. He graded Biden with a C for his performance, a decline from a B+ a few months prior.
Stephen: The Challenge of Fixed Incomes
Stephen, 52, lives in a Philadelphia suburb. On a fixed income, he finds it challenging to afford essentials, citing rising costs of meat and eggs.
“There are some months that I do run out of food,” Stephen stated.
The cost of concert tickets also surprised him, realizing attending an event can be prohibitively expensive. As a former Biden to Trump voter, he graded Trump’s performance with a D, urging focus on the needs of people like himself, who aren’t wealthy.
Colleen: Balancing Family and Finances
Colleen, aged 49, juggles family and volunteering, facing economic insecurities despite feeling generally secure. Frequent travels to buy toys for her daughters have highlighted the impact of gas prices.
“We’re driving all over creation,” Colleen noted about the hunt for toys.
She is disengaged from the political news cycle, feeling disconnected from political disputes. Colleen’s concerns focus on education, youth mental health, and local homelessness. Her views on Trump have shifted since her 2016 vote.
As the midterm elections near, these swing voters remain concerned primarily about affordability and economic stability.