Inflation and abortion are the top 2 issues in one of America's swingiest districts. Here's what voters there are saying ahead of the midterms.
Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
- After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, voters may be thinking about candidates' stances on abortion.
- Likely voters may also be thinking about the economy when they vote, especially sky-high inflation.
- Voters in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District told Insider how they feel about these key issues ahead of the midterm elections.
With the midterm elections on Tuesday, inflation and abortion are clear issues some voters across the US will be thinking about. They also are critical issues for voters in one of the nation's swing Congressional Districts with an especially tight race: Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.
Inflation has been elevated in the US for quite some time now, affecting how Americans shop and the prices of goods and services they need. Additionally, Americans have been worried about abortion rights following the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade in June.
"There's no doubt that what happened earlier this year at the Supreme Court catapulted abortion into the top tier of issues in the cycle," Christopher Borick, a political-science professor at Muhlenberg College and director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, located in the 7th District, told Insider.
Democratic US Rep. Susan Wild is hoping to win again in a rematch against Republican Lisa Scheller in the district. Wild won the close race against Scheller in 2020, winning 52-48%.
A recent Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion/Morning Call poll suggests that inflation is seen as important to more voters in the district than abortion — although the two do stand out among other concerns. 404 likely voters were surveyed and asked "Which of the following issues do you consider to be the most important in terms of your decision in the 2022 midterm elections?"
Just over a third, 34%, gave inflation as the most important in the district survey. Over a quarter, 28%, said abortion. Seven percent each listed healthcare and immigration.
Given it's "such a representative district," Borick said in an interview, "statewide polling in terms of issues mirrors quite nicely with what people feel or care about in the 7th district."
Abortion is one pressing issue for first-time voter Julia LoConte. She's a high schooler in Bethlehem, which is located in the district.
"When I vote, I will most likely lean more toward candidates who are willing to fight for the right to have an abortion in Pennsylvania and who want to help slow this country's negative effects on the environment," LoConte told Insider.
Fadia Halma, a Democrat and parliamentarian of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee, has already sent in her mail-in ballot. Women's rights and reproductive healthcare are two big concerns for her, especially since she said she's "raising very strong independent girls" and "we continue to just advocate that a woman's right to choose be defended."
While abortion is a huge issue, even more voters may be worried about the economy and sky-high inflation.
Samuel Chen, a Republican political strategist and an assistant professor of political science at Northampton Community College, told Insider he thinks inflation and the economy will be top issues for voters in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District but also for people across the US.
"I think it's important to remember that voters vote on issues that impact them in their everyday lives," Chen said. "And so things like COVID-19 impacted every person, whether it was through business or through them getting sick or losing a loved one. And things like inflation will impact every single person in this country. And so that's gonna be front of mind for these voters."
Sen. Bernie Sanders agrees that the economy will be a key factor in the election, saying in an op-ed in The Guardian that "In my view, while the abortion issue must remain on the front burner, it would be political malpractice for Democrats to ignore the state of the economy and allow Republican lies and distortions to go unanswered."
While inflation is a concern, the economy in general may be on top of mind for people, per an October Pew Research Center survey.
"As has been the case all year, the economy is clearly the top issue for voters; fully 79% say it will be very important to their voting decisions – the highest share among 18 issues included on the survey," a Pew Research Center post about the results stated.
A New York Times/Siena College poll similarly shows voters may be thinking about the economy more so than abortion when it is time to vote. The survey conducted from October 9 to October 12 asked registered voters "What do you think is the most important problem facing the country today?"
The economy stood out among the results with 26% saying the economy, and 19% said "inflation or the cost of living." Abortion fell in the single digits with only 4% saying this.
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