Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
The upcoming presidential election is poised to be heavily influenced by independent voters — those who prefer not to align solely with the Republican or Democratic parties.
This summer, the political landscape provided plenty of material for independent voters to consider.
An attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life was made at a July rally in Pennsylvania. Following this, President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris subsequently secured the Democratic nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August. If elected, she will make history as the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the office of president.
These extraordinary events have left many voters feeling overwhelmed. Republicans have intensified their support for Trump, while Democrats have united behind Harris after Biden’s lackluster debate showing against Trump.
However, for those who identify as independent, the political landscape is more nuanced.
According to recent polling data, Trump currently holds a slight lead among Texas’ independent voters, with Harris gaining ground among female independents.
In Texas, voters are not required to officially declare a party to participate in the primaries. This flexibility allows them to choose the primary they wish to vote in. The Texas Tribune spoke with a number of independent voters to gauge their views on the election, their preferred candidates, and the key issues influencing their decisions.
Below are the unique perspectives of a few of these voters:
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fa62bb77d043bc72fb8881db0a7deec9/0827%20Joanne%20Kropp%20MS%2002.JPG)
Credit: Meredith Seaver for The Texas Tribune
Joanne Kropp, 68
Home: Bryan
Occupation: retired
Who did you vote for in 2016? Donald Trump
Who did you vote for in 2020? Donald Trump
Joanne Kropp, a retiree, has been grappling with the impacts of inflation on her finances. She finds herself dipping into her savings every month to cover her expenses.
Concerned about the economy, Kropp, who identifies as an independent voter with Libertarian tendencies, plans to vote for Trump. She disagrees with the notion that the economy is thriving under Biden’s administration and appreciates Trump’s economic policies.
During Trump’s presidency, Kropp didn’t feel financially strained. She believes his business background influenced his decisions that ultimately benefited ordinary Americans.
In addition to the economy, immigration is another key issue for Kropp. She supports Trump’s approach to curbing illegal border crossings, despite not always approving of his rhetoric.
Kropp is critical of Harris’ track record on immigration during her time in the Biden administration. While she acknowledges Harris’ efforts to address root causes of migration, she believes more action is needed.
Aside from immigration, Kropp is concerned about foreign policy and believes the next president should possess adequate knowledge to navigate complex international issues.
She expresses confidence in Trump’s ability to handle international relations effectively.
…and the article continues with more unique stories of independent voters sharing their perspectives on the upcoming election.
