Rhonda Woods, a 71-year-old retired nurse from Michigan, has a history of voting across party lines. However, this year, she feels that voting for Trump is not an option, especially after he chose Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate. Many voters like Woods are paying close attention to the vice presidential candidates, Vance and Democratic rival Tim Walz, in this year’s truncated general election cycle. Recent polling has shown that Walz is more favored than Vance.
The attention on the vice presidential candidates is expected to intensify as their Oct. 1 debate approaches. Observers say that the running mates could play a crucial role in an election that may come down to narrow margins in key battleground states. The impact of vice presidential candidates on an election has been studied, with experts noting that they could be consequential in a close race.
Both Vance and Walz have faced scrutiny and criticism over their policies and past remarks. Vance’s connections to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and controversial comments about women have raised concerns among voters. On the other hand, Walz has faced criticism for his progressive policy actions as governor and his handling of the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Voters have different perspectives on the vice presidential candidates, with some believing that they play a significant role in their voting decisions, while others feel that they are secondary to the presidential candidate. Ultimately, the vice presidential candidates could still impact the outcome of the election, especially in closely contested states.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com