SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — While sipping tea from beer mugs with colleagues, Kyle Bos shared how his life is shifting.
Bos, a father of two with a third daughter on the way in January, noted the shocking increase in grocery prices—where just five items now cost what a full cart used to. Adding to the stress, he and around 1,400 others were laid off from the Navistar truck factory in southwestern Ohio.
This recent wave of layoffs, occurring just days before a rally by President Donald Trump at a nearby high school, essentially wiped out a year’s worth of job gains in the greater Dayton area. For Bos, 30, this disappointment has driven him to canvass for Democratic candidates in the weeks leading up to the November election.
When asked about his previous votes for Trump, Bos held up three fingers. But he expressed a decisive shift in his perspective, indicating he’s moved past support for the president.
“There needs to be political change in this country,” Bos, a centrist United Auto Workers member, said. “It just keeps getting worse.”
Trump’s Campaign Stop This Saturday
This year’s elections represent a critical moment for the coalition of working-class voters that brought Trump to power, as well as Republicans who gained control in Congress. The stakes are especially high in areas like Dayton, which was once a hub for factories and innovation, producing notable inventions like the airplane and the electric starter.
Initial support for Trump stemmed from his blunt rhetoric and outsider status, attracting voters in Dayton who felt abandoned by traditional politics. While Republicans made gains in the region, this year they face challenges from constituents unhappy about rising prices, the ongoing Iran conflict, and a president perceived as disconnected.
In a Senate race pivotal for control, Republican Sen. Jon Husted is being challenged by former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who hopes to capitalize on the electorate’s frustrations after losing his seat two years ago.
Trump’s visit to Dayton is part of his extensive campaign, promoting what he claims is an improved economy. “Across the nation, factories are reopening — manufacturing is coming home,” he stated recently. “Our only struggle is in public relations.”
Public sentiment seems to place blame on Trump for rising living costs, with a mere 17% approving of his approach to the issue. Although he has dismissed concerns over affordability, he suggested that if Republicans regain Congress, they would distribute $5,000 checks, which Bos found quite insulting.
“It feels like a bribe, like a slap to the face that we’re not intelligent enough to see through it,” Bos remarked.
The Impact of Offshoring on Factory Jobs
The Dayton region has lost nearly half of its manufacturing jobs since 1990, primarily due to the North American Free Trade Agreement, which led many companies to relocate operations to Mexico for cheaper labor. This exodus was exacerbated when China joined the World Trade Organization.
As jobs disappeared, issues like drug addiction and crime escalated. The economic downturn reached a tipping point following the 2008 financial crisis, prompting individuals like Phil Plummer, who was Montgomery County Sheriff at the time, to enter politics.
“My jail had a staggering percentage of drug addicts, mental health issues, and criminals,” said Plummer, now a Republican state representative. “This reality pushed me into politics.”
Currently, the economy shows signs of improvement thanks to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which employs around 38,000 people and has attracted new aerospace companies to the area. The White House highlighted significant investments as evidence of job creation stemming from Trump’s policies.
Both political parties have recognized the value Wright-Patterson brings to Dayton over the years, according to Jeff Hoagland of the Dayton Development Coalition. “Economic development takes time; it needs to be nurtured, and, if done correctly, will yield great results,” he explained.
Inflation Tops Agenda in Dayton’s Election
Downtown Dayton has seen revitalization, with new living spaces and renovations transforming the historic Dayton Arcade into a hub for shops and eateries.
Recently, a fundraiser for Rose Lounsbury, a Democrat and former schoolteacher campaigning again for state representative, filled the gallery with music and a hopeful atmosphere. Guests expressed optimism about the potential for a shift in the political landscape.
Lounsbury voiced concerns about a disconnect between people’s aspirations and their realities, stating, “People long for the middle-class dream, but feel it’s slipping away.”
Meanwhile, her Republican opponent, State Rep. Andrea White, has been advocating for tax relief measures to help alleviate some inflationary pressures on constituents.
White contended that Ohio’s Republican leadership has worked to mitigate the effects of rising prices through tax reforms. “The goal is to return more money to the taxpayers,” she said.
Struggles of Laid-Off Factory Workers
Despite claims from the White House that tax cuts and new trade agreements bolster Ohio’s economy, the layoffs at Navistar reveal a gap between policy and real-world benefits for workers.
Many feel let down by Trump’s tariffs, which did not significantly increase factory demand, and the plant’s previous owner chose to close operations. Even the One Big Beautiful Bill, which temporarily eliminated taxes on certain income, did not remedy the financial strain on workers.
Marianne Donnelly, a former forklift operator, remarked on the lack of available overtime and rising costs that led her to make significant lifestyle changes, like shopping for discounted groceries.
Donnelly and other laid-off workers are now hoping for opportunities with Roshel, a Canadian firm interested in acquiring the plant and promising to not only retain the current staff but expand the workforce significantly.
Finding Hope Amid Uncertainty
A few days before the layoffs, Morgan Hughes and JoJo Burkhard were out canvassing in Kettering, appealing to union members and retiring workers on behalf of Democratic candidates.
Hughes, 35, credited her job at Navistar with enabling her to buy a house young and work alongside her father. Faced with cut hours, she picked up side jobs and obtained a real estate license, wearing a tattoo on her wrist that serves as a reminder to stay rooted in faith.
Both canvassers feel it’s important for constituents to have their voices heard, especially after feeling sidelined by political leaders. Burkhard noted that economic frustrations could sway undecided voters in this election.
“We’re not making a hard sell; many are open to hearing what we have to say, and this election could be pivotal for us,” she said.
After a long day of outreach, they relaxed with potstickers at a Chinese restaurant, reflecting on the emotional toll of the recent layoffs.
Burkhard cracked open a fortune cookie, only to find herself welling up with tears. The words seemed especially poignant in light of her current struggles, as they read, “You’ll find your inner strength to overcome challenges.”
