The Potential Impact of Today’s Economy on November’s Outcome

Syd Ortiz, a 32-year-old resident of Bethlehem, Pa., is concerned about the state of the economy and believes we may be heading towards another Great Depression. Despite having a job she loves and saving up to buy a house, Ortiz feels the economy has worsened, especially after experiencing recent layoffs at work.

Having previously sat out the presidential elections in 2016 and 2020, Ortiz is now paying close attention to politics and leaning towards former President Donald Trump. She recalls a raise in her job during Trump’s presidency and feels that President Biden has not made a significant impact on her economic situation.

Pollsters and economists suggest that voters’ perceptions of the economy, like Ortiz’s, could play a crucial role in shaping their decisions in the upcoming presidential election. The mixed economic news, with employers adding jobs but prices remaining high, has made it challenging to determine the economy’s direction.

In a visit to Pennsylvania’s Northampton County, a battleground area economically, voters expressed frustration and ambivalence towards the current economy. Despite strong wage growth and a solid labor backdrop nationally, many voters, including Ortiz, feel pessimistic about the economy.

As the presidential election approaches, the economy’s performance will continue to be a key factor in voters’ decision-making process. With consumer sentiment dropping and inflation remaining a concern, the economic landscape remains uncertain, leaving voters like Ortiz and others in Pennsylvania feeling uncertain about the future.