President Biden’s economic policies have led to billions of dollars in new investments in Arizona and Georgia, key battleground states in the upcoming 2024 election. Despite these investments, Mr. Biden’s support in these regions has not seen a significant increase.
Arizona and Georgia have benefitted from the Biden administration’s initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the infrastructure law. Arizona has become a hub for semiconductor investments, with over $100 billion in new investments since the introduction of the CHIPS Act. Georgia has also seen significant investments in clean energy and infrastructure, totaling $40 billion in private sector commitments and $10.8 billion in public investments.
Despite these efforts, former President Trump continues to lead in both states according to recent polls. Economists suggest that the impact of Biden’s policies on manufacturing, while significant, may not be felt by a large portion of the workforce in these states.
While the administration’s focus on boosting manufacturing has led to private sector investments, the overall impact on political support remains to be seen. The effects of these policies may take time to materialize, and many projects are still in the early stages of development.
Arizona has received significant investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing under the Biden administration, with projects like T.S.M.C.’s chip manufacturing hub in Phoenix. Georgia has also seen a surge in clean energy investments and new projects in battery plants and electric vehicle manufacturing.
However, the impact of these investments on manufacturing employment may not be immediate, as many projects are still in the planning stages. While there has been growth in construction employment, the full effects on manufacturing are yet to be realized.
The 2021 infrastructure law has funded various projects that are still ongoing, with transportation projects taking time to complete. While there has been an increase in construction spending, the overall impact on job creation and economic growth is still evolving.
The challenge for Democrats lies in translating these investments into tangible benefits that voters can see and feel. Voters may not immediately associate these projects with the Biden administration, and factors like grocery prices may have a more immediate impact on their perception of economic policies.
Infrastructure projects are often associated with local officials rather than federal officials, making it harder for voters to attribute them to specific policies. Democrats are working to communicate the benefits of these investments to voters before the upcoming election.
Representative Nikema Williams, chairwoman of Georgia’s Democratic Party, acknowledges the work that still needs to be done to communicate the impact of President Biden’s economic policies to voters. There is still time to engage with voters and highlight the benefits of these investments before the election.
