Small Business Owners in Battleground States Identify Economy as Key Issue Ahead of Midterms
Small Business Owners in Battleground States Identify Economy as Key Issue Ahead of Midterms

Small Business Owners in Battleground States Identify Economy as Key Issue Ahead of Midterms

Published Wednesday, October 26, 2022

DALLAS – October 26, 2022 National Write Your Congressman (NWYC), an organization that gives small businesses a voice in government, released its latest Quarterly Index which found 80 percent of small business owners citing they will vote for candidates in the midterm elections who propose policies that will improve the U.S. economy and thus, their own business, and who support policies with fewer regulations. This includes small business members from the battleground states of Georgia, Ohio, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.

“Business owners plan to vote for candidates that build back the U.S. economy and support their small businesses with less regulations, less spending, less government programs, and will work to get inflation and the U.S. supply chain under control,” said Randy Ford, president and COO of National Write Your Congressman. “Our members are motivated to vote as they have seen rising costs due to inflation and less support for the fossil fuel industry.”

Ninety-nine percent of business owners plan to vote in the mid-term elections this year. Fifteen percent of business owners say they will vote based on their candidates' support of small business regardless of party.

I live in Pennsylvania, and we need a major change. We need lower taxes, less tax on business, and energy policy reform,” said Shawn Hershey, owner, Hershey Excavating LLC in Manheim, Pennsylvania 

Fifty-two percent of small business owners say the outcome of the midterm elections will impact their business “a great deal” with only 10 percent noting the midterms would impact their business “a little” or “none at all.”

“We need more pro-American, pro-small business leadership in government,” said Eric Norris, president/operator, NG salon & tonsorial in Columbus, Georgia.

Ninety-eight percent of small business owners say inflation is affecting their business costs and pricing for products and services. Furthermore, 91 percent of business owners are seeing increased prices on inventory, products, and materials, a 23 percent increase from last quarter. Eighty percent of business owners are having to pass on the costs of these goods to customers.

 “Taxes, health care, inflation, and energy costs are factors hurting us badly. The rising costs are through the roof. These costs only get passed on to the consumer,” said Brint Fanizza, founder and president, Specialty Product Sales, Inc. in Gainesville, Georgia.

The supply chain also continues to be a source of concern and hindrance to growth for business owners. Forty-five percent of business owners see supply chain problems continuing for at least one more year and 33 percent believe problems will continue for another two to five years. Fifty-seven percent of small business owners said their business has remained flat, a 24 percent increase from last quarter.

“The outcome of mid-term elections will impact the direction of the business climate, especially as the legislation impacts through expenditures and/or business restrictions that limit the supply and distribution of goods and services,” said Austin Chamness, realtor, Weatherbee Real Estate in Graham, Texas.

Congressional Sentiment

While the midterm elections remain top of mind, hope in Congress grew from 18 percent to 38 percent, a more than 100 percent increase in hopefulness. Fifty-four percent of small business owners said they are confident their U.S. Congressional Members know their opinions on important issues. Thirty-four percent believe their own elected U.S. Congressional Members act according to their constituents' input. Thirty-five percent of small business owners surveyed said they trust the elected U.S. Congressional Members who represent them.

NWYC’s Quarterly Index Score decreased slightly overall but had an increase in hope, satisfaction, and trust in Congress.  More information can be found in the Q2 2022 Quarterly Index.  

 NWYC provides members with non-partisan information and research along with the tools they can use to connect with their representatives in Washington and advocate for the policies and actions that will help their small businesses be successful for their families, their employees, and their communities. 

 Methodology

NWYC collected data using an online survey administered from October 7 to October 17, 2022. A total of 1,157 respondents participated. Respondents represent 48 of the 50 states in the U.S. Fifty-nine percent of business owners surveyed employ 1-9 employees and 37 percent employ 10-99 employees. 

About National Write Your Congressman

National Write Your Congressman (NWYC) is an organization that gives small businesses a voice in American government. As the nation’s largest, privately held, nonpartisan membership organization made up of small businesses, NWYC is dedicated to the delivery of constituent opinions to representatives in Washington. For more than 60 years, NWYC has provided small business owners and operators the tools necessary to connect with members of Congress and a platform to let their collective voice be heard. NWYC’s team of experts provides unbiased, nonpartisan information and research on top issues and pending legislation relevant to small business owners today. NWYC presents both sides of the issue so that members can form an educated opinion and let their opinions be heard.

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