Can Democrats win back Pennsylvania's working class?

“What is the biggest problem in your life?'' “Cost of living.'' “At the grocery store, at the gas station.'' “I can't afford insurance.'' “That's outrageous.'' “We won't have a middle class.'' I'm in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. He is one of a handful of candidates nationwide who could decide control of Congress in November. And I'm talking to people here about their lives and what they want candidates to focus on. “Hello, I'm a reporter. My name is Sabrina. Can I talk to you?” “Yes, this was $106.” “About four or five bags. Pay more and bring fewer bags, Sabrina. That's a good portion of your income. What do you do? You have to eat, right?” “Is this political for you?” “The war in Iran and everything else is driving up the price of everything right now.” “So, can I ask who you voted for in 2024?” “I voted for President Trump.” “How do you feel about that? Are you feeling pretty good right now or are you feeling—” “Well, I have mixed feelings, Sabrina — well, I don't like war. I don't like bombing, killing civilians, etc. I wish we could stop it somehow. The other thing is, I like to see prices go down, because it really does kill you.” This is one of only two congressional districts in the state that Republicans flipped in 2024. So this is a big test for Democrats. Can we appeal to voters about the cost of living and win them back? Carla Rodriguez of Allentown is worried about the survival of her family's chicken restaurant. “We've never seen it this bad. Prices change every week. Meat is going up. Ground beef used to cost like $18 a tube, and now we're paying $60. We have to find out how. Then some people will understand. The ones that don't will go elsewhere.” “That's right, that's right. We're trying to set a reasonable price that people can afford and that we don't lose out on. But it's a very small margin. The electricity goes up, the water goes up, everything goes up. That means we're lucky and blessed to still be here and still functioning and able to stay afloat.” “Are you guys Democrats or Republicans?” “I don't even know.” “Look at the colors.” “What did you like about Trump?'' “I had so much hope that he would change America. Bring that back. He was like, “Oh, things are going to get better.'' And this means that “prices will go down.” Yeah, and see what you do. He's really messing with the poor people, dude. If there were more people like Trump, there would be no middle class. I'd like to see a company president like me in the past, working in a warehouse driving a forklift for 16, 15, or 14 hours a day. And for the first six months, he backed up what he said. I don't know what happened after that. He really got us there. Especially me. I don't like being taken away. ” “I hope something changes, because I don't know if this situation will last for a long time, and to be honest, not many people will survive.” “Will it make me want to vote?” “Will it make me want to vote?” Yes, the opposite of what we have now. Because this – it's not working. ”