{
  "id": 17593224,
  "title": "Affordability top of mind for voters in final sprint to midterms: ‘I have to pick between medicine or groceries’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/affordability-top-of-mind-for-voters-in-final-sprint-to-midterms-i",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T12:00:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian US",
    "slug": "the-guardian-us",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/01/affordability-voters-final-sprint-midterms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "With the midterm elections approaching, the issue of affordability is a major concern for voters. Workers and unions have been advocating for higher wages and addressing rising prices throughout the election cycle. In Lorain County, Ohio, a public sector strike has been ongoing since February 2026, making it the longest strike in Ohio history and potentially the longest in US history. Gina Jones, a worker at Lorain County Job and Family Services, has been on strike and is concerned about the rising cost of healthcare. Starting pay at the job is $15 an hour, but health insurance costs have skyrocketed, making it difficult for employees to make ends meet. Jones explained that her family's healthcare coverage used to cost $35 a month but has increased to $600 a month for the same coverage. The situation has left many employees earning less than they did when they started working. In Minnesota, a special education paraprofessional named Bob Mattila is looking for state legislation that would increase pay for himself and his co-workers to $25 an hour and lower their health insurance costs. He emphasizes that workers deserve to be paid a living wage and have access to affordable healthcare. Sarah Garland noted that both Democrats and Republicans have recognized the importance of addressing workers' issues, but it's becoming increasingly clear that the focus on the economy is giving labor-friendly candidates an advantage in this election cycle.",
  "summary": "Cost of living has loomed over this election cycle as workers and unions champion candidates fighting for higher wages and tackling rising prices For millions of Americans heading to the polls on Tuesday, affordability is a constant and worsening issue, and it’s been a prevailing concern this election cycle. In Lorain county, Ohio, Gina Jones and her co-workers at the Lorain county job and family…",
  "key_points": [
    "Affordability a top concern for voters in midterm elections",
    "Lorain County strike longest in Ohio and possibly US history",
    "Healthcare costs skyrocketed, making it difficult for employees"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Michigan Democrat El-Sayed clashes with pro-Israel former rival days before midterms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/michigan-democrat-el-sayed-clashes-with-pro-israel-former-rival-days",
        "published": "2026-11-01T06:54:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "US midterms: 2 days to go – what polls say as Trump, El-Sayed hit the trail",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/us-midterms-2-days-to-go-what-polls-say-as-trump-el-sayed-hit-the",
        "published": "2026-11-01T08:47:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "US Midterms: Affordability at heart of Michigan race",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/us-midterms-affordability-at-heart-of-michigan-race",
        "published": "2026-11-01T09:39:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}