Kamala Harris's Nevada Problem: Rising Costs and Voter Discontent
Kamala Harris's Nevada Problem: A Rising Tide of Expenses
In a shabby casino off Las Vegas's gambling strip, Sequoia Kayo spends her day riding the sole working elevator, supervising guests as they pile in after splurging money on slot machines.
Business is booming for the sprawling casinos of Sin City — in 2023 Clark County, home to Vegas, reported its third consecutive year of record-breaking revenue, pulling in $13.5bn, as visitor numbers bounced to almost pre-pandemic highs.
But the windfall has not reached 41-year-old Kayo, who makes $15 an hour and is struggling with the high cost of groceries, petrol, car insurance and the $1,300 rent she pays for her one-bedroom apartment.
“Under Biden, everything is more expensive,” she said. “I’m absolutely going to vote for Trump. Trump made it better for us, he opened up employment and made it much more reasonable for us to go shopping.”
High Costs Fuel Discontent Among Voters
Miguel Espinoza, who works for the county maintaining the city’s arid public parks, did not vote for Donald Trump in 2020, but would later this year. “When Trump was around, the economy was just better,” he said.
These Nevada service workers' enthusiasm for the Republican presidential candidate is not unusual — but it is a nightmare for Democrat Kamala Harris in one of the handful of swing states that will decide this year’s White House race.
- Nevada has a high unemployment rate.
- State residents are frustrated with rising costs across essential goods.
- Voter sentiments are shifting towards Trump due to economic concerns.
Others who initially supported Biden are now reconsidering their stance as they feel the pinch of inflation and high living costs.
Candidates' Responses to Economic Pressures
Both candidates have set out plans to deal with high costs. Trump’s policies include broad tax cuts and lower government spending, while Harris has proposed increases to the minimum wage and tax credits for families.
Recent polls indicate that while voters may prefer Harris's approach to the economy over Trump's, they still believe they would fare better financially under the Republican's policies.
- Trump's focus on reducing prices through policy changes.
- Harris's proposals aim to alleviate living costs and support workers.
Despite Harris's attempts to connect with voters on economic issues, the challenges faced by Nevada’s workers highlight a significant problem as her campaign approaches a critical point in the election cycle.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.