Georgia voters reflect shifting political landscape ahead of midterms

Gerald remains a staunch supporter, assigning Trump an “A+++” and casting his early ballot for Republican candidates Mike Collins for Senate and Rick Jackson for governor. He expressed a strong preference for Republican candidates, even resorting to write-in votes to avoid supporting Democrats.

Wally, however, has consistently given Trump an “F” since March. He cites inflation as a primary concern and expresses a general lack of hope for political solutions. Wally voted early in Georgia for Democratic Senate incumbent Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, signaling a shift away from the former president.

Wally and Gerald are part of a group of swing voters NPR has been tracking as part of a long-term reporting project called Swing Shift, with their names withheld to allow for candid discussion. The group, who all voted for Trump in recent elections, are grappling with the current political climate.

Across the Swing Shift group, sentiments reflect national polls, with most expressing unhappiness or disappointment with Trump’s second term, often citing concerns about the war in Iran and energy prices. Theresa, a Pennsylvania voter who switched from supporting Trump to Joe Biden in 2020, gave the president a “C-,” criticizing his initial assessment of the war in Iran.

Lee, a Nevada voter who is pleased with Trump’s performance, gave him an “A-,” but still expressed concerns about the ongoing war. Quintero, also from Nevada, initially voted for Trump but is now leaning towards Democrats in the upcoming midterms.

This election serves as a referendum on President Trump’s policies, even though he is not on the ballot. The challenge for Republicans lies in the fact that Trump’s 2024 base is proving less reliable in the current election cycle.

In Pennsylvania, the divide is evident: while three out of four swing voters supported Trump in 2024, three now plan to vote for Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. Stephen, residing in a competitive House district, plans to re-elect Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, but is considering Democratic options for other races. John, from Philadelphia, remains a Republican voter, expressing anxiety about the potential for gridlock and investigations following a possible Democratic victory.