In Milledgeville, Georgia, voters in Baldwin County say the local economy has shifted, citing the loss of major employers including Central State Hospital, Reed Manufacturing and Mohawk. The county was one of only a few in Georgia to vote for Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024. Voters point to rising property taxes, high diesel prices that have left some truckers idle, and affordability concerns as top issues. Political analyst Cory Ruth says these issues cut across party lines and warns that recent midterm polling has missed rural and working-class voters, so Georgia is not a sure bet for either party.
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In Milledgeville, Georgia, Freeman's Barbershop, open since 1968, reflects residents' view that the local economy has changed after the loss of major employers such as Central State Hospital, Reed Manufacturing and Mohawk. Baldwin County was one of just three Georgia counties to vote for Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024. Voters cite rising property taxes and high diesel prices, which have left some truckers idle, and analyst Cory Ruth says concerns over the war, gas, affordability, inflation and fatigue with the party in power cut across party lines. Ruth also warns that recent midterm polling has been off, missing rural and working-class voters who use landlines or distrust random texts.
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