Tennesseans have growing economic anxiety, poll finds
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Tennesseans are increasingly worried about their ability to pay for groceries, monthly bills and medical emergencies, according to the latest Vanderbilt Poll.
Why it matters: The poll, released Thursday, is a window into the affordability crisis' impact in Tennessee. It found growing economic anxiety across the political spectrum.
By the numbers: 67% of the poll's respondents said they were worried about having enough money to pay for emergencies like medical care or car repairs. That's up 13 points since last year.
- About half said they were "very" or "moderately" concerned about paying for typical monthly bills.
Zoom in: 70% said they were worried about having enough savings for retirement and education.
What they're saying: "Inflation is a serious concern for Tennesseans across the state, even among MAGA Republicans," poll co-director John Geer said in a statement.
Yes, but: Tennessee voters remain supportive of President Trump, whose statewide approval rating hit 56% percent, up 4 points from April.
Zoom out: The poll also logged positive approval ratings for other politicians, including Gov. Bill Lee (58%), the Tennessee legislature (54%) and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (53%).
Between the lines: "While Trump continues to have support in the state, the worries about the cost of living are growing," Geer said. "And as we saw in the recent special election in the 7th Congressional District, people are expressing their concerns by being much more willing to vote for a Democrat than just a year ago."
How it works: The latest semiannual Vanderbilt Poll was conducted Nov. 12-19. and included 1,046 registered Tennessee voters. The margin of error is +/- 3.6 percentage points.