Wenn Jeep seine Arbeiter nach Hause schickt, wird es kritisch
In der alten Autostadt Toledo in Ohio kämpfen Demokraten und Republikaner um den womöglich entscheidenden Sitz im Senat. Hier prallen zwei gegensätzliche Strategien aufeinander, wie Amerikas Industrie in die Zukunft geführt werden kann, wie ein Besuch zeigt.
In the city of Toledo, Ohio, Democrats and Republicans are battling for the crucial Senate seat. The two opposing strategies on how America's industry should be led into the future are on display. Toledo prides itself on being America's quietest large city, but the bustling scene goes unnoticed by its diminishing population. Asphalt roads are empty, and few SUVs pass by construction sites and barricaded front doors.
The city hosts the Democratic Party's headquarters and a pizzeria, Dough & Co., where volunteers prepare 3,600 voting cards for the upcoming mail-in election. The monotonous sound of air conditioning fills the room while workers tackle stack after stack of tasks. The mood remains grim, driven by the determination of committed party members who have been reacting to the MAGA government for two years.
Party President Schuyler Beckwith says, "This year is about democracy itself. Trump tried to manipulate everything: the justice system, oversight bodies. If the Democrats don't win, we face tough times."
The November 3, 2026, congressional elections are seen as a referendum on President Trump's performance. Ohio, transformed from a Democratic stronghold to a Republican one in 2016, could swing back to the Democrats under the right circumstances. With over $460 million spent by both parties in ads, the Ohioans face a barrage of negative advertising.
The main concern for voters is the rising cost of living, including gas prices, food costs, and a broken healthcare system. The trade war with Canada, affecting over $3 billion worth of Ohio's exports, is also a significant factor.
Democrats hope to retake the Senate seat from Republican Jon Husted and possibly gain a majority in the Senate. Sherrod Brown is the frontrunner, but the race could be the second most expensive congressional campaign in history. The primary issue for voters is the cost of living, with gas prices and food costs rising due to the trade war with Canada.
Ohio recently raised the gas tax to alleviate prices, dropping to $3.30 per gallon in the city. Though this may seem like a temporary relief, it highlights the long-term challenges facing Toledo, which has been experiencing deindustrialization and population decline for decades.
Written by urgent.news from NZZ Wirtschaft's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
