Georgia swing voters express disappointment with President Trump, lean toward Democrats
In focus groups, most Georgia voters who switched from Biden to Trump say they regret supporting him and say his presidency will push them toward Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections.
Two online focus groups conducted Tuesday with 12 Georgia voters who backed President Trump in 2024 revealed widespread disappointment with his administration. Eleven participants said they were dissatisfied with the president’s performance, and ten said they regretted voting for him.
"I've been disappointed," said Charles P., 43, who identifies as a Democrat. "I just don't feel like there's any positive to this administration at all. Inflation has only gotten worse, there've been more wars. The tariffs haven't done anything. It seems like we have more enemies now than ever. I just don't see anything positive with his tenure."
Richard A., a 56-year-old Republican, added, "Food crisis, starting the war with Iran, inflation. ICE immigration has just torn families apart, has caused deaths. ... It just seems like everything has gone downhill."
The comments align with President Trump’s declining approval ratings and a challenging outlook for Republicans in the midterms. Trump has resumed campaign travel, emphasizing his record and urging the GOP to retain control in Washington.
The focus groups, organized by messaging firm Engagious and recruiting firm Nelson Recruiting as part of NPR’s Swing Voter Project, are held monthly in battleground states. While not statistically representative, they offer insight into voter sentiment.
Rich Thau, president of Engagious, noted a shift this year: for the first time, a majority of swing voters said President Trump would influence them to vote for Democrats. "In previous months, when we asked people whether President Trump would influence how they vote, they would say things like, 'Well, I'm looking mainly at the candidates themselves,'" Thau said. "This month, seven out of 12 said that he would influence them to vote for Democrats. And that was new."
Karla S., 49, a Democrat, said she had voted Republican for 2024 but now plans to vote exclusively for Democrats because of her disappointment with the administration. Independent voters Cedric, 41, and Thomas M., 65, expressed a desire for candidates who would not align with President Trump, citing concerns about the direction of the country and the economy.
Ten of the 12 participants indicated they intend to support incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, partly because he is not aligned with President Trump. Thau said some respondents believe a Democratic-controlled Congress could restore stability and limit the president’s influence, while others fear that a Republican-led House would give the president even greater sway.
"I think there would be more controls placed on Trump with people who are not afraid to stand up to him," said Thomas M.
"Trump would have free rein," warned Jennifer W., 43, a Republican.
The findings suggest that dissatisfaction with President Trump’s tenure may be shaping voting decisions among swing voters in Georgia ahead of the midterm elections.