Freeman's Barbershop in Milledgeville, Georgia, which opened in 1968, serves as a gathering place where residents discuss a shifting economy in Baldwin County. Barber Don Reese says the area has lost major employers, including Central State Hospital, Reed manufacturing and Mohawk, and that frustration is widespread. Voters cite rising property taxes and high diesel prices that have left many truckers not moving their trucks, while analyst Cory Ruth says issues such as gas prices, affordability, inflation and fatigue with the party in power cut across party lines. Ruth also cautions that Georgia is not a guaranteed win for either party, noting that recent midterm polling has missed rural and working-class voters. The article suggests these conversations may shape how voters cast their ballots in 2026.
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- Georgia swing voters in Milledgeville weigh 2026 election
Freeman's Barbershop in Milledgeville, Georgia, opened in 1968 and remains a community hub where residents discuss how the local economy has changed. Residents of Baldwin County say the area has lost major employers, including Central State Hospital, several nearby prisons, Reed manufacturing and Mohawk, leaving many frustrated that there are plenty of restaurants but few jobs. Property taxes and rising diesel prices are central worries, and one truck driver says many truckers have stopped moving their trucks. Political analyst Cory Ruth says affordability, inflation, gas prices and fatigue with the party in power cut across party lines, while cautioning that recent midterm polls have missed rural and working-class voters. The county was one of just three in Georgia to back Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024.
- Georgia swing voters in Milledgeville weigh 2026 election
The article looks at voters in Milledgeville, Georgia, where the local economy has shifted in ways that are reshaping daily life and political attitudes. Residents say the area has lost major employers, including Central State Hospital, Reed Manufacturing and Mohawk, leaving many with plenty of restaurants but few jobs. Property taxes and rising diesel prices are top concerns for voters and truckers alike. Political analyst Cory Ruth says the issues cut across party lines, citing the war, gas prices, affordability or inflation, and fatigue with the party in power. He cautions that Georgia is not a guaranteed win for either party, noting that recent midterm polling has missed rural, working-class and blue-collar voters.
- Georgia swing voters in Milledgeville weigh 2026 election
Residents of Milledgeville, Georgia, a former state capital in Baldwin County, say the local economy has changed after losing major employers including Central State Hospital, Reed manufacturing and Mohawk. The county voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024, and voters cite property taxes and high diesel and fuel costs as main concerns. Analyst Cory Ruth says these issues cut across party lines and that voters are fatigued with the party in power. He warns that recent midterm polling has missed many rural and working-class voters.
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