Higher prices have some voters concerned about their future
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Many Minnesota voters cited rising prices as a key issue driving their vote in the midterm election.
Christopher Knyphausen, 56 and of St. Cloud, is retired and lives on a limited income. He said voting for candidates who support healthcare programs and food assistance is important to him.
“I get Medicaid, I get Social Security. And I want to be somebody who votes for the the people that are going to support me, because I'm low income and I'm not a billionaire,” Knyphausen said.
“I'm on a very balanced budget right now, and I'm barely squeaking by. If it wasn't for the state to help me out, I don't know what I'd do. I wouldn't be able to survive. So that's how I vote."
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Chris Shorba, 68, is a retired certified public accountant from Waite Park. He said he votes in every election, including primaries and midterms, and thinks it's part of the duty of being a citizen.
Shorba said he doesn't like the Trump administration's policies and is frustrated by Congress not standing up to the president.
“He promised no inflation and grocery store prices low and gas under $2, and his war in Iran prevented all that from happening,” Shorba said.
Shorba said he doesn't believe presidents have as much impact on inflation as many people think. Demographic changes play a larger role, he said.
"But to make the promise and have people believe it and then not do anything about it … He lies every time he opens his mouth,” Shorba said.
Carol Ringwelski, 82, a retired certified pharmacy technician from Waite Park, is also concerned about rising prices.
She said that was one of several issues motivating her to vote.
“I think the economy, the fraud, and just everything that's going on in the world,” she said.
Ringwelski said she used to think she had plenty of money for retirement. “Now I'm not so sure, and I don't know what I will do. Too old to go back to work.”
But she said she’s also worried about younger generations’ ability to deal with the economy.
“I feel sorry for the young kids that are struggling,” she said. “They're all struggling so badly.”
