Everyone’s Talking About the “Swing States”—We Introduce Them

The U.S. presidential election will be decided in politically contested states on November 5. What are the characteristics of these “swing states”? Who's ahead? We watch carefully.

Renzo Ruf, Washington/ch media

In the United States, the president is not directly elected by the people. Instead, whoever gets a majority of votes in the Electoral College, the body of electors, will win the White House. The campaign therefore focused on only a small set of politically competitive countries.

This time, the group includes seven states, from large Pennsylvania on the east coast to tiny Nevada in the west. Here's an overview of those swing states, their characteristics, and the issues at the heart of the campaign.

Pennsylvania (“Keystone State”)

Pennsylvania is the largest and most important swing state: Democrats and Republicans have spent more than $538 million on campaigns here. That's over $40 per resident! Kamala Harris must win the eastern Philadelphia and western Pittsburgh metropolitan areas by wide margins, as Donald Trump will win in the rural areas in between. The state has enjoyed a special place in Trump's sky since the assassination of the former president in Butler, near Pittsburgh.

Georgia (“Peach State”)

In Georgia, there’s no getting around this fruit. Peach mural in Fort Valley town.Image source: Getty Images

Georgia is a young swing state; as recently as 2016, it was a Republican stronghold. Democrats benefited from high turnout among African Americans and well-educated residents of metro Atlanta. The driving force behind the Republican push is Gov. Brian Kemp; however, the popular head of government has had a love-hate relationship with Trump since the 2020 election.

North Carolina (“Tahir State”)

The sandy beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks are worth a visit.Image source: Getty Images

This state gem has been giving Democrats stomachaches for decades. Victory for presidential candidates always seems within reach, but on Election Day it's not enough. But with the state growing rapidly and benefiting from many retirees, Harris now senses a new opportunity. The Republican objection: North Carolina remains largely a rural state beset by right-wing slogans. Two uncertainties: The failure of the Republican gubernatorial candidate. Will this hurt Trump? At the end of September, massive flooding occurred in the west of the country, killing nearly 100 people.

Michigan (“Great Lakes State”)

General Motors' old headquarters in Detroit. The historic center of the domestic automobile industry is located in Michigan.Image source: Getty Images

Michigan is the state that best exemplifies Republican economic populism: Many automakers and factory workers who previously voted Democratic now support Donald Trump. They also ignored union bosses' election advice. But Democrats are not giving up, also because they have attracted new groups of voters. The biggest uncertainty in Michigan is the large number of people from Arab countries who are dissatisfied with the Joe Biden administration's Middle East policies. Are they now punishing Kamala Harris because of Israel?

Arizona (“The Grand Canyon State”)

A view you won’t soon forget: Arizona’s Grand Canyon.Image source: Getty Images

The desert state shares a direct border with Mexico, so the topic of immigration policy is always present. Trump is trying to exploit this politically. Moreover, few metropolitan areas have been hit harder by the inflation crisis in recent years than Phoenix, where two-thirds of Arizona residents live. That's why Harris is having a tough time in this state. The only thing that helps Democrats is that the local Republican Party has increasingly represented extreme positions in recent years, alienating many centrist voters.

Wisconsin (“Badger State”)

Wisconsin is an American cheese paradise, thanks in part to expat expertise. The founder of Widmer's Cheese Cellars immigrated from Switzerland in 1905.Image source: Getty Images

The heartland state of Wisconsin is a traditional swing state: For years, tens of thousands of people have been able to decide the outcome of elections there. Democrats have managed to gain a foothold in affluent neighborhoods of Wisconsin's largest city, Milwaukee, once a Republican stronghold. Democrats also control the college town of Madison and its surrounding areas, which are reminiscent of Switzerland. Republicans, on the other hand, won in flat country. In some counties, Trump will win more than 70% of the vote.

Nevada (“Silver State”)

Las Vegas, Nevada's gambling capital and den of crime.Image source: Getty Images

The tourism industry, one of the largest employers in the greater Las Vegas and Reno areas, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic Party was better organized under political overlord Harry Reid, who died in 2021; however, Trump believes he can benefit from popular dissatisfaction with the economic situation. (aargauerzeitung.ch)

About a week ago, a black man died following a police operation, sparking protests in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. Thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday in the streets of the city of more than 1 million people against police brutality and discrimination, the Europapress news agency reported. As can be seen from the photos, participants carried posters that read “Justice for Odell Moniz” in memory of the 43-year-old from the island nation of Cape Verde.