As the country inches closer to Election Day, voters are homing in on issues that may decide the fate of Congress and several state governments in November.
The Washington Examiner is tracking which issues are on the top of voters’ minds as they prepare to head to the polls, particularly in key battleground states that could bring a shift in power to the federal government. Specifically, we’re tracking how voters are researching our top five issues — abortion, crime, education, inflation, and taxes — and how these interests fluctuate as we get closer to Election Day.
MIDTERMS 2022: TRACKING THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO VOTERS AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY
Below, you can track the interest in Tennessee for each of our key issues on a rolling 30-day basis. The Washington Examiner will be updating this page as interests and voting concerns change.
Key races we’re watching in the state:
Tennessee voters will be voting for House representatives and the governor’s office in the upcoming election. Republicans are expected to gain a seat in the state’s 5th Congressional District.
The state’s Republican-led legislature approved new maps for the district in January, which slated the area in favor of the GOP. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) decided to retire due to the redistricting.
Now, the control of the 5th District is between state Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-TN) and former Maury County mayor Andy Ogles (R-TN). Ogles, a vocal supporter of Trump and criticizer of President Biden, is expected to secure the race.
The two are polar opposites, as Ogles is staunchly anti-abortion and against gay marriage, while Campbell has been a vocal advocate for protecting women’s rights since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Education
Education emerged as the top-researched issue among Tennessee voters in mid-September and remained the No. 1 priority for the duration of the month, according to internet searches recorded and analyzed by Google Trends.
Interest spiked for the issue on Sept. 26, as local Tennessee public schools have been fighting to prevent a Michigan conservative charter school from opening up three schools in Tennessee. On Sept. 26, American Classical Education filed a request to delay an Oct. 5 meeting of the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission that would decide whether it will override the local school boards regarding the proposed schools.
Crime
Crime also emerged as a top issue, ending as the No. 2 concern as of Oct. 17, with a significant spike on Oct. 6.
FBI data released on Oct. 6 shows that Tennessee ranks 3rd in the country regarding violent crime. Tennessee’s violent crime rate of 673 incidents per 100,000 people is the highest of any Southern state, according to the data.
A Politico/Morning Consult poll released on Oct. 5 showed crime as a key battle area for the midterm elections as a whole. Around three-quarters of respondents said violent crime is increasing nationally, while 88% said violent crime is either increasing or staying the same in their own communities. Sixty percent of respondents said that crime would influence who they voted for in the midterm election.
Taxes
Taxes emerged as another top issue among voters, staying steady from mid-September into early October. The issue came in at No. 3 as of Oct. 17.
Tennessee is one of the few states that will not have a tax rebate or one-time payment sent out this year. However, the fiscal year 2023 budget includes a provision that will suspend the state’s 4% sales tax on groceries for 30 days beginning August 1.
Inflation
Inflation was one of the lowest-searched topic among Tennessee voters throughout September and into October, receiving a significant spike in interest on Sept. 13-14 before falling back to No. 4 as of Oct. 17.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released September’s inflation numbers in a consumer price index report on Oct. 13. September inflation was recorded at 8.2% in the report.
Inflation is one of the most important issues on voters’ minds heading into the midterm elections, according to a Monmouth University report released on Monday. In the United States, 82% of people ranked inflation as an “extremely” or “very important” issue, compared with 56% who ranked abortion as a top worry and 32% who viewed the coronavirus pandemic as a big concern.
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Abortion
Abortion stands as the No. 5 issue among Tennessee voters, resting just below inflation. There was a large spike in interest on Sept. 27.
Tennessee’s current abortion law bans abortions once a heartbeat is detected.
Sen. Lindsey Graham announced on Sept. 13 that he planned to introduce a bill that would ban most abortions nationwide at 15 weeks of pregnancy. This bill received backlash from Democrats and Republicans, who have collapsed into indecision over the issue. The party historically has campaigned on returning abortion restrictions to the states.
