The coronavirus is poised to reshape the political map, pummeling battleground states and alarming Republicans who see early signs of an election that could be a referendum on President Donald Trump’s management of the crisis.
The pandemic, which has killed more than 30,000 Americans and left millions out of work, has eviscerated Trump’s hope to run for reelection on a strong economy. A series of states he won in 2016 could tilt toward Democrats.
In Florida, Republican governor closely aligned with Trump has come under scrutiny for being slow to close the state. In Wisconsin, Democratic victor in last week’s Supreme Court race captured 28 counties, up from 12 that Hillary Clinton won four years ago. In Michigan, Democratic governor has seen her approval rating rise against the backdrop of fight with Trump. In Arizona, low marks for Trump could be enough to turn formerly Republican stronghold into tossup. “It makes me wonder if there’s something brewing in the weaker elements of the Trump base,” said Paul Maslin, a Wisconsin-based Democratic pollster.