The 2024 elections are heating up, and Pennsylvania is taking center stage. With voter anxiety palpable across the state, concerns over inflation and rising costs dominate the discourse. Recent polling data from the Commonwealth Foundation reveals pressing issues shaping voter sentiments heading toward Election Day.
Pennsylvanians are feeling the pinch, with inflation and cost of living flaring as the top priorities for residents according to the recent polls conducted from September 26 to 29. A staggering 71% of those surveyed indicated they were worried about their ability to manage their energy bills, highlighting how the climbing costs of essentials like gas and electricity are influencing voters' perspectives. "The higher prices people are paying for gasoline, electricity, and other energy across the board are shaping their views as voters look to the impact of these issues on their pocketbooks as their chief concerns," said Erik Telford, Senior Vice President of the Commonwealth Foundation, during recent talks.
When participants were quizzed on their primary national issues, inflation and cost of living were the most pressing at 20%, followed by immigration and border security at 12%, and general economic concerns at 9%. Surprisingly, abortion—a hot topic laced throughout the Democratic campaign efforts—only registered as the top priority for 5% of those polled. Many experts suggest this vocalization of economic fears could shift the electoral dynamics as candidates seek to pinpoint the economic dissatisfaction of voters.
Steering the narrative toward the election candidates, the poll unveiled Vice President Kamala Harris holding a slight edge over former President Donald Trump at 50% to 46%. This slight lead partially springs from increased enthusiasm among Harris’s supporters after the announcement of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. Meanwhile, Biden’s job approval ratings have dipped, with only 43% of Pennsylvanians showing support for his performance, contrasted with 55% expressing disapproval. This backdrop sets the stage for tight race dynamics leading up to November.
While younger voters exhibit increased support for Harris, their engagement remains uncertain. They may be responding to economic disturbances rather than party loyalty. “A key factor will be how well candidates define themselves around financial and economic insecurity issues driving voter behavior,” Telford emphasized, adding the economic and financial pressures families face must influence policy directions.”
Shifting gears to local races, Pennsylvania's Senate contest is tight. Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey is leading Republican challenger Dave McCormick by 49% to 38%, but with major financial backing from Republican sponsors pushing about $113 million on McCormick's behalf, the competition grows fierce. Telford notes the political atmosphere keeps many voters pessimistic about the direction of both Pennsylvania and the U.S. at large; 57% of residents surveyed feel the state is heading down the wrong path, with 68% reflecting similar sentiments about the country. Such discouragement may drive lower turnout if candidates fail to address pressing voter concerns, particularly those circling around expenses and the economy.
Pennsylvania's history as a battleground state complicates matters, making the upcoming election one to watch closely. Given the shifting demographics, changing sentiments about the candidate’s policies on inflation and other economic factors become pivotal for both parties to capture vote share across such turbulent terrain.
Meanwhile, on the lighter side, there's been buzz surrounding Lochel’s Bakery located at 57 S. York Road in Hatboro. Known for its quirky Election Cookies, the bakery has reportedly sold around 19,000 cookies, with 18,000 of those themed for Trump. The bakery, which has seen orders flood from all 50 states, hosted informal elections alongside their cookie sales since 2012. Previous years’ results have even predicted three out of the last four presidents. Lochel's, already dubbed as Pennsylvania's unofficial polling hub, carried forward its tradition when it sold 5,200 Trump cookies and only 500 for Harris amid notable media coverage this election season. Lochel states, "It’s not scientific. It’s for fun ... Whatever color cookie they’re coming in for, we’re happy to give them."
This local spotlight adds flavor to the atmosphere surrounding the election, reflecting how community events intersect with broader national trends. While political campaigns are weighing heavily on the minds of voters, poignant local stories—like the one from Lochel’s Bakery—remind everyone how diverse interactions can lace throughout the electoral fabric of Pennsylvania.
A final note of interest rests with the early voting trends shaping the election, as Pennsylvanians look to make their voices heard amid this wave of pressing concerns. With voters more attuned to economic issues, the candidates' capacity to align their messaging around inflation and associated struggles may determine the balance moving forward. The stakes are undeniably high, not just for the presidential seat, but for local races and the broader strategy across Pennsylvania's political horizon.
