Focusing on Policy, Not Personality

At a bustling county fair in Wisconsin, Stephanie Soucek, a local Republican leader, has one mission: to win over undecided voters for Donald Trump. However, Soucek carefully avoids mentioning Trump’s controversial comments, especially when speaking with voters like Tammy Conway, a Democrat considering switching sides. Instead, Soucek focuses on economic issues, sharing concerns about high interest rates and the rising cost of living, which seem to resonate more than Trump’s brash personality.

This strategy, emphasizing policy over personality, is gaining traction among Republicans in swing states. These efforts aim to win back white suburban women, a group Trump narrowly won in 2016 but has struggled to retain since.

Women Voters: A Pivotal Voting Bloc

Republicans are increasingly aware of the gender gap in this election, especially as Trump’s appeal has shifted toward younger men, particularly Black and Hispanic men. Meanwhile, Democrats have successfully courted female voters, especially in the wake of the overturning of Roe v Wade. Polls reflect this shift: a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll showed Kamala Harris leading Trump among women by 13 points.

Republicans like Soucek are concerned about whether Trump can reverse this trend. Many believe that by focusing on economic concerns, they can appeal to female voters disillusioned by Biden’s handling of the economy.

Navigating Trump’s ‘Brash’ Persona

Despite the effort to shift the conversation, Trump’s public persona remains a stumbling block. Republican pollster Christine Matthews noted that Trump’s campaign is heavily focused on mobilizing non-college-educated men, emphasizing masculinity and portraying Trump as a “tough” leader. While this resonates with a significant male demographic, it risks alienating women voters.

Trump’s choice of JD Vance as a running mate has only deepened this challenge. Vance’s past comments about women, including his criticism of childless female politicians, have sparked backlash among some potential female voters.

Economic Concerns Outweigh Personality for Some

For many women, however, policy issues outweigh Trump’s controversial remarks. Republicans are steering discussions toward family-centered concerns, like inflation and the cost of groceries, which polls indicate are top priorities for suburban women voters.

Dixie, a staunch Trump supporter from Door County, dismisses concerns about Trump’s personality, saying, “He tells you the truth,” reflecting the sentiment of many female voters who prioritize Trump’s policies over his demeanor.

Grocery Prices and the Economy: Key Issues

Local Republicans hope that by focusing on economic issues, they can stop the erosion of female support. For many suburban women, like Lyla Juntunen, the impact of rising prices is a pressing concern. Inflation has made it difficult for these voters to ignore the economic challenges under Biden’s administration, giving Republicans an opening to reframe the narrative.

Conclusion: Can Republicans Win Back Female Voters?

Republicans are betting that by highlighting economic policies and downplaying Trump’s personality, they can win over key female voters in battleground states. Whether this strategy will be enough to close the gender gap remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the economy will play a central role in shaping this critical voting bloc’s decisions.