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US midterm voters cite Trump, living costs and local issues
Developing story first seen 1 hour ago
New voter interviews show that concerns over Donald Trump and national issues are shaping choices in the US midterms, alongside local priorities. In Maine, Todd Cox, who had twice backed Republican senator Susan Collins, voted for her Democratic challenger, citing affordability, the war in Iran and what he sees as disregard for the rule of law.
The contests cover all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats, 39 governorships and thousands of state and local races. Democrats need a net gain of three House seats and four Senate seats, while retaining their existing seats, to control both chambers. Voters also raised concerns about immigration enforcement, schools, taxes and local conditions, while some Republicans said they continued to support their party despite disliking Trump.
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In short
- National concerns are influencing midterm choices.
- Maine voter Todd Cox switched from Collins to her Democratic challenger.
- Local issues and Republican support remain part of the picture.
How this story developed
- 24 minutes ago Later interviews broadened the picture of voters’ concerns to include faith, schools and taxes, while underscoring that Democrats needed net gains of three House seats and four Senate seats, and to retain their current Senate seats, to control both chambers.
- 43 minutes ago Interviews with US midterm voters found that national issues and local priorities were shaping choices, with some Republicans continuing to back their party despite disliking Donald Trump.
Where outlets differ
Left-leaning outlets 1
Only here: cite, living, costs, local, issues
Centre outlets 1
Only here: voter, voices, influence
Every side used: midterm, voters, trump
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The case for
Voters who prioritise affordability, the war in Iran and respect for the rule of law can reasonably see these midterms as a chance to hold national leaders accountable, including by backing candidates who better reflect their concerns. Others may judge their choices chiefly by local issues such as schools, taxes and community conditions, while weighing how national policies affect those priorities.
The case against
Voters who continue to support Republican candidates despite reservations about Trump may believe their party’s broader policies or their preferred candidates better address issues such as immigration enforcement, taxes and local needs. They may also regard a midterm vote as a choice among competing representatives and priorities, rather than a referendum on one national figure.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “US voters share why they cast their ballots – from frustration with Trump to affordability concerns”.