Economic issues are women’s issues – especially in this election cycle.
Avoq recently conducted a survey ahead of our 3rd annual Elevate Voices series, which featured a panel of expert voices discussing how women will impact the election. Nearly 2 of 3 women we surveyed (64%) across the political spectrum in 2024 battleground states (MI, WI, NV, AZ, GA and PA) say inflation and the cost of living are top of mind. Economic issues ranked even higher than other issues often viewed as “women’s issues,” such as abortion policy.
Sandra Alcala, my colleague and Democratic lobbyist on our Government Relations team, also weighed in: “As women increase their participation in the overall labor force, are the majority in obtaining a college education and make inroads in corporate and government leadership positions, economic issues will continue to be front of mind. Women are balancing a range of responsibilities and that is reflected in the data, not only are they concerned about cost of living, but also ensuring their families have access to affordable healthcare and their communities are safe.”
Women run a growing number of U.S. households, including those in which a couple is married. This evolution in American life has important implications: women are increasingly managing family budgets, making purchasing decisions and overseeing healthcare costs. Additionally, single women are now more likely to own a home than single men, a significant shift from past generations.
Why does this matter? Candidates and lawmakers should prioritize the power of women voters, and speak to them and their concerns, in this election year:
- While high inflation and the rising cost of living affect all Americans, it’s a fair assumption that many women will vote on these issues in November.
- Women voters will watch what candidates do versus what they say. For candidates who win the support of women in 2024, follow-through will matter. That’s why women’s issues must stay top of mind — and remain on the legislative agenda — long after the votes are counted.
About Rebecca
Rebecca is a Senior Vice President and republican lobbyist on the Government Relations team. Her experience advising Republican members of Congress across the political spectrum has honed her expertise in member decision-making and communications as well as her passion for achieving stakeholder goals. Rebecca spent more than a decade working in the House of Representatives, most recently serving as chief of staff to former Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-Ind.). Previously, she served as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for former Rep. Chris Gibson (R-N.Y.). She has experience working on congressional campaigns across the country, as well as two Republican National Conventions.
