In Milledgeville, Georgia, barber Don Reese says the town has lost major employers, including Central State Hospital, several nearby prisons, Reed manufacturing and Mohawk, leaving residents frustrated. Baldwin County, one of only three Georgia counties that voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024, has voters worried about property taxes and high diesel prices. Political analyst Cory Ruth says voter concerns cut across party lines, including the war, gas prices, affordability and fatigue with the party in power, and cautions that recent midterm polling has been off. Democrats hope to win majorities in the House and Senate to serve as a check on Trump.
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