In a rundown casino just off the famous Las Vegas strip, Sequoia Kayo spends her days overseeing guests as they ride the only working elevator in the building. Despite the booming business of Sin City’s sprawling casinos, Kayo, a 41-year-old worker, is struggling to make ends meet on her $15 per hour wage. She faces high costs for groceries, petrol, car insurance, and rent. Kayo believes that under President Biden, everything has become more expensive and plans to vote for former President Trump in the next election.
Kayo is not alone in her support for Trump among Nevada service workers. Miguel Espinoza, who maintains public parks in Clark County where Las Vegas is located, did not vote for Trump in 2020 but intends to do so this year because he believes that the economy was better under Trump’s leadership.
Nevada has historically leaned towards Democrats in presidential elections but recent polls suggest that it will be a closely contested state this time around. The high cost of living and unemployment rate have left many long-time residents frustrated with rising prices for essentials like food and insurance.
Both candidates have proposed plans to address these concerns. Trump aims to implement tax cuts and reduce government spending while also ending taxation on tips—a policy that would directly benefit service workers like Kayo and Espinoza. Harris has proposed increasing the minimum wage and offering financial incentives for first-time homebuyers and families with newborn children.
While some voters blame corporations for price gouging and shifting the burden onto consumers, others believe that companies are simply charging more without adequately compensating their workers. Mary Casillas, a cosmetologist who does makeup for brides visiting Vegas from out of town, noticed significant price increases at fast-food chains like In-N-Out Burger.
Despite their frustrations with high costs of living under Biden’s administration, some voters remain skeptical of supporting Trump due to his controversial reputation. Jaylai Logan sees greedy companies as responsible for her financial struggles but firmly rejects voting for Trump because she believes there is “a difference between a Republican and an actual psycho.”
As November approaches, it remains uncertain which candidate will win over Nevada’s swing voters who are grappling with economic challenges amidst rising prices.
