Swing State Voters Grow Impatient for Manufacturing Jobs

As the midterm elections approach, voters in key swing states are expressing frustration over the lack of progress in bringing manufacturing jobs back to areas hard hit by industry decline. These voters hold the power to determine control of Congress, yet feel their concerns have been ignored by politicians on both sides of the aisle.

In Ohio, a state that has swung between Republicans and Democrats in recent presidential elections, the manufacturing sector once provided stable, middle-class jobs but has seen significant losses over the past few decades. “I’ve been waiting to see some real action on manufacturing for years now,” said Brian Thompson, a welder from Youngstown who is currently unemployed. “Politicians talk a good game about wanting to help us out, but I’m not seeing any results.”

Ohio was once home to a robust steel industry, but many mills closed down as production moved overseas where costs were lower. Cities like Youngstown, Cleveland, and Cincinnati suffered economically and socially as thousands of manufacturing jobs disappeared virtually overnight. While some new jobs have come to Ohio in sectors like healthcare and technology, many displaced workers from shuttered factories lack the skills or means to transition into different career paths.

There had been hopes that former President Trump’s promises to bring back manufacturing through policies like tariffs would benefit Ohio. However, those policies have so far failed to spur a large-scale resurgence. The manufacturing sector in Ohio has grown some in recent years but remains down over 15% from its peak in the late 1970s, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. With the midterms on the horizon, voters’ patience is wearing thin.

In Wisconsin, another crucial swing state, manufacturing job losses have also taken a toll. The state was once home to major employers in industries like paper, automotive parts, and heavy machinery. But many plants closed or downsized operations as companies moved production to other lower-cost locations. Between 2001 and 2019, Wisconsin lost over 130,000 manufacturing jobs.

The city of Milwaukee exemplifies the manufacturing job crisis in Wisconsin. Once a bustling industrial center, decades of decline have left many neighborhoods economically depressed with few opportunities. Long-empty factories now dot the landscape like ghosts of the past. “I’ve seen too many friends and neighbors give up hope after the plants closed around here,” said Maria Gonzalez, a lifelong Milwaukee resident. “It’s about time politicians delivered on bringing jobs back for good.”

While some new jobs have come to Wisconsin in areas like healthcare, tourism, and agriculture, lost manufacturing positions have not been fully replaced. Displaced factory workers often lack qualifications for new types of jobs. Retraining programs have helped some transition but not at a scale large enough to compensate for massive industry losses. With control of Congress at stake, Wisconsin voters want bolder action from Washington.

In Pennsylvania, another critical swing state, the story is much the same. The steel industry that built towns throughout the western half of the state has nearly disappeared. Manufacturing jobs as a percentage of the Pennsylvania workforce have declined by over 30% in the past few decades and remain down over 10% from the late 1970s.

The city of Pittsburgh exemplifies the challenges. Once home to massive steel mills along the three rivers, the skyline is now dotted with glass high-rises rather than smokestacks. While Pittsburgh has successfully transformed into a hub for healthcare, education, and technology, good-paying blue-collar jobs remain in short supply. “I went to a technical school to become an electrician but there’s just not many construction jobs around here anymore,” said Doug Harris, who is currently unemployed.

As in Ohio and Wisconsin, some new jobs have come to Pennsylvania in different sectors. But lost manufacturing positions have not been fully replaced, leaving many workers with outdated skills struggling to find work. With control of Congress at stake, Pennsylvania voters want bolder solutions from Washington to bring back well-paying jobs to hard-hit regions.

In all three states, voters are growing impatient waiting for real progress on the manufacturing jobs crisis. While some new jobs have come, lost positions have not been replaced at a scale large enough to compensate for massive industry declines. Displaced workers often lack skills or means to transition to new types of work. Retraining programs have helped some but not at a scale to solve the problem.

With the midterms approaching, politicians will need to deliver more substantive plans to revive manufacturing if they want to retain voters in these pivotal swing states. Proposals around workforce development, tax incentives for companies, infrastructure investment, and trade policies could help address the crisis. But after years of promises with little results, voters may be skeptical of empty rhetoric. Bold action will be needed to regain the trust of workers and communities that have borne the brunt of industry decline. The outcome of tight races in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania may hinge on which party can most credibly tackle the manufacturing jobs challenge.

In conclusion, manufacturing job losses over recent decades have taken an immense economic and social toll on many Midwestern communities in crucial swing states. While some new jobs have come, lost positions have not been replaced at a scale to compensate for massive industry declines. Displaced workers often lack skills or means to transition to new types of work. As the midterms approach, politicians will need to deliver more substantive plans to revive manufacturing if they want to retain voters in these pivotal states. The future of control of Congress may depend on who voters believe can most effectively tackle the manufacturing jobs crisis.