CHICAGO — The 2024 election was shaping up to be one of the more interesting and contentious elections in history even before President Joe Biden decided to bow out of the race.
Because of the heated election climate, American Laundry News posed several questions related to Decision 2024 to readers in its most recent Your Views survey.
Regarding President Biden dropping out so close to the election, respondents had differing views of its effect on the race.
Several write that it won’t have any effect, but others offered differing viewpoints:
- Kamala Harris is a better candidate than Joe Biden and has a better chance of defeating Donald Trump. Trump may be slightly better for business owners, but the chaos he brings with him will negatively impact the country and business in the long term. A war on immigrants will negatively impact many workers in our industry. A tariff-based tax system sounds bad for free markets and the long-term strength of our economy.
- This announcement caused a groundswell of good feelings, as Joe Biden did the right thing for the country and stepped aside, leaving the Republicans flat-footed.
- I think it will help reveal the dishonesty of the Democratic party and further expose the collusion that exists within the system.
- Trust has been lost. Everyone saw his reduced mental capacity during the debate. How many people knew this beforehand and for how long?
- Although he has accomplished a great deal during his first term, I believe he made the right decision. His age is such a negative factor. If Kamala Harris becomes the candidate, I think that she will win. Anyone but Trump!
- I expect some turmoil at the Democratic National Convention, although it appears Vice President Harris has been promised the necessary delegates to be the Democratic nominee. This does create some advantage for the democrats as the RNC, while very successful, was really aimed at a Biden/Harris ticket. If the Dems are strategic and pitch their favor, rather than Trump’s downsides, they may get traction.
- The significant influx of campaign contributions to Kamala Harris suggests that the November election will likely mobilize a diverse range of voters. On one hand, there are those who are optimistic about change and eager to support a candidate like Harris. On the other hand, it might also draw out individuals with prejudiced views who struggle with the idea of a black woman in a position of power. In short, it promises to be an eventful and revealing election.
Most respondents leaned Republican regarding ticket and party influence on the laundry industry.
When asked who they support for president and vice president, 71.7% indicate Trump/J.D. Vance while 19.6% say they support the Democratic ticket. Less than 9% were unsure.
More than 67% of those who took the survey believe the Republican ticket will “more likely be a positive influence for the laundry industry.” Just under 18% believe the Democratic ticket will be a positive influence on the industry, and more than 10% aren’t sure.
When it comes to the issues in the upcoming election, almost 55% of respondents indicate the economy will most influence their votes, followed by immigration at 18.2%.
Comments related to the issues include:
- Inflation is still too high. My costs keep going up.
- The increased tariffs, along with the rising costs of shipping and goods, are significantly impacting our bottom line. These added expenses are challenging our ability to maintain competitive pricing and healthy profit margins, making it more difficult to sustain our business operations and growth.
- Economic pressure to raise wages while not raising prices.
- The global warming paranoia is prompting unrealistic regulations that are not founded in science but rather founded on sounds good/feels good. We need to get back to basic common sense that some of us grew up with. Things such as recycling bottles, paper bags, etc. Water—a mainstay for laundry—is a renewable resource. The laundry industry should be empowered and encourage water reclamation, and the government should provide programs that are accessible to all laundries no matter the size. This should include laundromats as well.
- Local issues are more important to my business—availability of water, sewer, power, zoning codes as well as availability of laundry workers.
Regarding the importance of elections, from national to local races, more than 45% of respondents say the presidential election will have more influence on their businesses. This was followed by congressional elections (30.4%), state races (15.2%) and local races (6.5%).
When asked, “How strongly will a candidate’s record on business influence your vote,” respondents indicated:
- Very Strongly, 52.2%.
- Strongly, 30.4%.
- Somewhat, 8.7%.
- Neutral, 4.3%.
- Not at all, 4.3%.
Finally, when asked to share what the next administration must address immediately, responses included:
- Inflation. I can’t keep passing on my higher costs to my customers without losing business from them.
- Illegal immigration.
- Our relationship with the rest of the world—especially our trade partners. The days of isolationism are long past. It is much more desirable to have an honest, hard-working president who cares about all Americans over a president who cares most about himself and his/her cronies.
- Women’s rights must be addressed.
- Protecting democracy against corruption, insurrectionists, dictators and convicted felons to ensure a smooth transition of power.
- Climate change demands urgent attention, and the garment-care industry is lagging in adopting sustainable practices. From the selection of eco-friendly solvents to the use of reusable materials, there are many opportunities to reduce pollution. If the industry doesn’t make these changes voluntarily, it risks becoming one of the world’s leading polluters. Is that the kind of “stain” they want to leave behind?
- Energy. It affects the cost of living and the cost of manufacturing stability in the world.
- National security and the border.
While the Your Views survey presents a snapshot of readers’ viewpoints at a particular moment, it should not be considered scientific. Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100%.
Subscribers to American Laundry News e-mails are invited to take the industry survey anonymously online each quarter. All managers and administrators of institutional/OPL, cooperative, commercial and industrial laundries are encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define operator opinions and identify industry trends.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].
