FOLLOW US

America April 17, 2020 6 mins read

Democrats leverage Coronavirus to complicate Trump’s path to reelection

America ı By Catherine Davis

0 Comments

Come To Vote

The coronavirus is poised to reshape the political map, pummeling battleground states and alarming Republicans who see early signs of an election that could be a referendum on President Donald Trump’s management of the crisis.

The pandemic, which has killed more than 30,000 Americans and left millions out of work, has eviscerated Trump’s hope to run for reelection on a strong economy. A series of states he won in 2016 could tilt toward Democrats.

In Florida, a Republican governor closely aligned with Trump has come under scrutiny for being slow to close the state. In Wisconsin, the Democratic victor in last week’s Supreme Court race captured 28 counties, up from the 12 that Hillary Clinton won four years ago. In Michigan, a Democratic governor has seen her approval rating rise against the backdrop of a fight with Trump. And in Arizona, low marks for Trump could be enough to turn the formerly Republican stronghold into a tossup.

“It makes me wonder if there’s something brewing in the weaker elements of the Trump base,” said Paul Maslin, a Wisconsin-based Democratic pollster. “Is the pandemic fight the final straw that’s going to cause some of this small slice of votes he needs to win these states to back away?”

Trump’s public approval rating has remained consistent nationally throughout his presidency, and some polls even suggested an uptick at the onset of the pandemic.  And his unique brand of politics rooted in cultural grievances could once again overcome hurdles that would sink other presidents seeking reelection, especially if the pandemic wanes or the economy rebounds.

But Trump’s campaign is concerned about losing support in several key swing states, particularly Florida and Wisconsin, according to five current and former campaign staffers who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about internal strategy. There are also growing worries about Arizona and Pennsylvania.

There is no better example of the altered map confronting Trump than Michigan, which he captured in 2016 by fewer than 11,000 votes.

The mounting deaths in heavily African American Detroit and the politically dynamic suburban counties have been the backdrop for the tiff between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Trump. Though her handling of the virus outbreak has prompted some public protests, Whitmer’s poll numbers have gone up and her criticism of the federal response prompted Trump to obliquely dismiss the governor, telling virus task force members “Don’t call the woman in Michigan.”

In a sign of enthusiasm, participation in Democrats’ March primary was up 32% over 2016 as the party rallied around its likely nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden. The Trump campaign already had a light footprint in Michigan — it does not have a single field office — and advisers privately concede it could be the toughest battleground state to hold.

Many pollsters believe Wisconsin could be the tipping point this November for either candidate to reach the needed 270 electoral votes. The state has long been considered the Rust Belt prize Trump was likeliest to keep, but poignant images of mask-wearing voters lining up outside Milwaukee’s few open polling places last week signaled Democratic enthusiasm.

“We are starting to see more evidence that suburban voters disapprove of the way Trump is handling the coronavirus pandemic,” said Democratic strategist Adrienne Elrod, who notes that counties outside Philadelphia and Phoenix “have a similar electorate to the suburban areas that delivered a huge win for Democrats in Wisconsin.”

Although the state Supreme Court race received national attention, Republicans were quick to dismiss it since only Democrats held a competitive presidential primary, boosting that party’s turnout. Wisconsin’s spring Supreme Court contests have been a shaky predictor of presidential elections, which usually feature twice as many voters.

“President Trump has been clear — through actions and words — that what matters most is the health and safety of every American. This crisis is hitting Americans — not Democrats or Republicans,” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Erin Perrine. “To try and politicize this crisis in terms of the election is ludicrous.”

Although Arizona hasn’t yet seen a spike in infections, Biden’s promise of pragmatic, experienced management may play well in a state that has turned purple. A Biden victory there would build pressure on Trump to hold two of the trio of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

The pandemic has hamstrung the Trump campaign’s effort to build momentum. Though its digital outreach has ramped up, the campaign has been unable to wield its financial advantage over Biden and can’t hold its signature rallies to bolster enthusiasm and collect valuable voter data.

“We can’t wait to get back out there and do things the old-fashioned way,” said Lara Trump, a senior campaign official and the president’s daughter-in-law.

Employment has cratered in many of the states key to Trump’s reelection.

The economy shed 22 million jobs in the past four weeks, according to requests for unemployment benefits. And while some of those jobs will return as the lockdown gets lifted, it’s unclear how quickly workers will be needed at hotels in Florida, auto plants in Michigan and stores and offices that fill Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Arizona.

Both Michigan and Pennsylvania have lost more than 1 million jobs since the outbreak, which implies unemployment rates of more than 20% in both states, according to Labor Department figures. Unemployment filings suggest Florida employers have let go of roughly 6% of its jobs, but declines there could worsen as applicants have struggled to access unemployment benefits.

Without Florida, Trump’s path to victory becomes nearly impossible. Its Trump-friendly governor, Ron DeSantis, took heat for allowing beaches to stay open despite the risk of spread to his state’s massive population of vulnerable senior citizens.

“They thought they were going to be running for reelection with a very popular governor, but DeSantis has taken some real hits over his handling of this,” said Republican strategist Alex Conant, who worked for Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign. “The image of spring breakers spreading coronavirus is going to be replayed in October.”

Previous Article

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is Joe Biden’s likely Running Mate

Read More
225 Posts

Catherine Davis

Catherine Davis is a contributor to the USA Herald. She covers politics and reports on issues of the times.

Discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to join the discussion!

Don’t Miss It
America October 29, 2026 Tennessee Killer Escapes; Police Cite Five-Hour Alert Delay By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 29, 2026 Brewers Beat Rays to Win First World Series Title By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 29, 2026 DHS Data Leak Exposes 41,000 Workers and Sensitive ICE Operations By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 28, 2026
Flight Attendant $25K Sweepstakes Scam: American…

An American Airlines flight attendant is facing multiple felony charges…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 28, 2026
Wagmor Puppy Laundering Allegations Target Celebrity-Favored…

A dog rescue organization embraced by celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres,…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 28, 2026
NLRB Memphis Subregional Office Closure Shifts…

The National Labor Relations Board is closing its Memphis subregional…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 28, 2026
Reported FEC Cyberattack Disrupts Filings Before…

WASHINGTON — A reported cyberattack forced the Federal Election Commission…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 28, 2026
Spain Train Crash Kills at Least…

At least 68 people were killed Wednesday when a Spanish…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 28, 2026
Miyoko Plant Butter Recall Sparks Food…

A plant-based butter product distributed across 10 states is being…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 28, 2026
Pentagon Ketamine Contract: $41M Deal Under…

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has awarded a Singapore-based pharmaceutical company…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 28, 2026
Flávio Bolsonaro in Florida: Visa Approved,…

MIAMI — Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Florida on…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 28, 2026
CDC Warns Drug-Resistant Germs Threaten Modern…

WASHINGTON — Drug-resistant germs are causing millions of infections and…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 27, 2026
Walmart Great Value Fruit Cocktail Recall…

A canned fruit product sold at Walmart is under recall…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 27, 2026
Ted Bundy New Murder Case: DNA…

More than five decades after a Utah teenager was found…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 27, 2026
AT&T Settlement Payments: When Customers Could…

Millions of AT&T customers affected by two major data breaches…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 27, 2026
Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Star of…

Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress whose spirited performances in…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 27, 2026
Trump and Nicki Minaj Make a…

OPINION | Trump and Nicki Minaj turned a Michigan campaign…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 27, 2026
FAMU Shooting: Boy, 15, Faces 11…

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A 15-year-old boy faces 11 attempted murder…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 27, 2026
New Trump Rape Allegation Detailed in…

WASHINGTON — A new rape allegation against President Donald Trump…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 27, 2026
Ariel School UFO: 62 Children and…

The Ariel School UFO case began with children returning from…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 26, 2026
Thomas Markle: Investigation Continues as Meghan’s Estranged…

CEBU, Philippines — Thomas Markle, the retired Hollywood lighting director…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 27, 2026
USAA Auto Insurance Rates Drop 7%…

Nearly half a million Florida drivers insured through USAA are…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 27, 2026
Guidewire to Buy Hyperexponential in $2.1…

Insurance technology provider Guidewire is making a major move into…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 27, 2026
Savannah Chrisley Announces Pregnancy and Engagement:…

Reality TV star Savannah Chrisley is preparing for a new…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 27, 2026
Susan Saint James Dies at 80:…

Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress celebrated for her roles…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 26, 2026
European Protests Spread Across Major Cities…

MILAN, Italy — European Protests over rising living costs, housing…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 26, 2026
Gas Hits $4.28 a Gallon as…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Eight days before Americans vote in the…

By – Derek Johnson
America October 25, 2026
Christina Applegate Reveals Multiple Sclerosis Misdiagnosis,…

LOS ANGELES — Christina Applegate, the Emmy-winning actor known for…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 23, 2026
Humana and UnitedHealthcare Cancel Medicare Advantage…

Nearly 1 million Americans are facing a shake-up in their…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 22, 2026
Pope Leo XIV Needs No Further…

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV will not require additional…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 21, 2026
News Overload Can Fuel Anxiety and…

News keeps people informed about wars, political conflict, public safety…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 21, 2026
Children’s Mercy Insurance Coverage Changes: Kansas…

Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City will no longer participate…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 21, 2026
Texas Trans Texts Spark Election Propaganda…

News Analysis | Texas voters began casting early ballots Monday,…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 23, 2026
Connor Hellebuyck Traded to New Jersey…

The New Jersey Devils have made a major move to…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 19, 2026
Information Ecosystem: Five Tools to Detect…

The information ecosystem is increasingly vulnerable to misinformation. There are…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 19, 2026
An Airman Died After a Pregame…

By Michallie K. Harrison | Opinion Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson’s…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 16, 2026
NFL Player $300M Hip Surgery Lawsuit…

Athletes bet their bodies on surgeons the way pilots bet…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 16, 2026
Russian Drone Strikes Hit American Businesses…

Russian drone strikes against American-linked businesses in Ukraine are raising…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 11, 2026
AP Poll Top 25: Georgia Claims…

Georgia has reclaimed the top spot in the AP Poll…

By – Rachel Moore

No posts found.

No posts found.

Signup for the USA Herald
exclusive Newsletter