(DCNF)—New battleground state polling shows Georgia firmly back in the camp of former President Donald Trump with a commanding double-digit lead (49% to 39%) in a head-to-head race vs. Joe Biden.
In fact, per our polling and the preponderance of publicly available surveys, Trump looks poised to win nearly the entire southern third of America. With the one exception of New Mexico, Trump now leads strongly from Arizona all the way east to the Atlantic coast of North Carolina–a Southern Sweep.
This new Georgia poll was conducted by North Star Opinion Research for my populist right labor organization, the League of American Workers. It surveyed 600 likely Georgia voters with a sample universe that voted for Biden by a 2-point margin in 2020. This poll also showed Trump with a runaway 8-point lead in a multi-candidate field that included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornel West.
What explains this surge in a hotly contested race? On the national level, the main driver is crashing economic confidence as Bidenomics crushes household budgets and saps spirits. On the state level, the preventable Laken Riley tragedy is seared into the minds of Georgia voters who understandably blame Biden for her death.
On the economy, the recent wave of data proves that regular Americans understand the economy better than the alleged experts. Just a month ago, the chief economic writer for the foremost business publication in America, Grep Ip of the Wall Street Journal, had the gall to pen a condescending column titled “What’s Wrong With the Economy? It’s You, Not the Data.”
Well, Greg and his pals in the corporate media got it wrong. Again.
Things might be swell for the already-successful owners of assets in this inflationary economy, but working-class Americans are miserable, and for valid reasons. In fact, just three weeks after the Ip article, his own paper ran the front page headline “Growth Slows, Inflation Firms” in response to clear macro numbers showing descending expansion alongside stubbornly high inflation. This Bidenomics slouch into “stagflation” takes America back to the unfortunate economic malaise era of the 1970’s, only without the great music and fashion!
The economic decline was further evidenced by the recent release of the widely watched small business optimism index from the National Federation of Independent Business. It just hit the lowest levels of the Biden tenure in the White House. In fact, small businesses in America are now more pessimistic than during the worst days of the spring 2020 lockdowns, with the NFIB marker hitting a new 11 year low under Biden.
As the foremost concern on voters’ minds, economic issues provide the most compelling value proposition for Trump. Our Georgia survey asked if voters were better off under Trump or Biden, and the 45th president enjoys a landslide 21-point advantage, 54-33%. On that “better off” question, Trump has earned a stunning +31-point margin over Biden among blue-collar workers, and a +26-point lead among young voters 18-34 years old.
In addition to losing economic security, Americans correctly worry about personal safety as well, as Biden’s porous border invites millions to trespass into America, including some migrants with criminal intent. All these resulting migrant crimes are 100% preventable, including the brutal slaying of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student killed in broad daylight while out jogging on the University of Georgia campus.
Her indicted killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, crossed Biden’s porous border with ease. He then got arrested twice in America, in so-called sanctuary cities. Instead of facing deportation back to Venezuela, he continued to roam our streets until he savagely beat young Laken Riley to death.
Because most corporate media platforms have assiduously avoided covering this story, many Americans are unaware of Laken Riley’s tragedy, per our battleground polling. But in Georgia, as one might expect, awareness is widespread. For instance, our poll showed that 34% of Georgia voters know “a great deal” about the Riley murder, vs. Wisconsin, where only half that many, 17%, knew “a great deal.”
Perhaps even more importantly politically, a supermajority 61% of Georgia likely voters blame Biden for the slaying. Revealing the popular anger, 46% blame Biden “a great deal.” Even among Biden 2020 voters, 32% blame him for Riley’s death.
Put together, these two macro topics – Inflation and Immigration – create the political groundswell for a Southern Sweep by Trump. Swing state voters long for a return to prosperity, secure borders, and safe streets. These are the just demands of the honorable citizens of a great country. For a second time, these people demand a populist leader to stop this American carnage.
Steve Cortes is former senior advisor to President Donald Trump, former commentator for Fox News and CNN, and president of the League of American Workers, a populist right pro-laborer advocacy group.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
America First Healthcare stands out as a private insurance agency dedicated to helping conservatives and families secure better coverage and better rates through customized, values-aligned options. By conducting free insurance reviews, the agency uncovers hidden gaps in existing policies and connects clients with private alternatives that emphasize personal responsibility, small-government principles, and genuine affordability—often delivering up to 20% savings while providing stronger protection for the American Dream.
The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
Beyond the numbers, marketplace plans often carry structural limitations. Coverage for certain critical services may include waiting periods or narrower networks that restrict access to preferred doctors and specialists. Preventive care is required to be covered without cost-sharing, but everything else—lab work, imaging, specialist visits, or ongoing treatment—typically waits until the deductible is met. This reactive model contrasts sharply with the proactive, holistic approach many families prefer, especially those focused on wellness, early intervention, and maintaining health to enjoy life rather than merely reacting to illness.
Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
Private alternatives, by contrast, offer year-round flexibility without the restrictions of open enrollment windows. Independent agents can shop across a wider range of carriers to design plans tailored to specific family needs—whether that means lower deductibles for frequent medical users, broader provider networks, or add-ons that support wellness and preventive services from day one. Clients frequently report more stable premiums that do not automatically escalate each year, along with genuine cost savings once the full picture of deductibles, copays, and coverage depth is considered.
Take the experience of real families who made the switch. Amanda C. shared that her new plan felt “way better” than what she had through the marketplace. Johnny Y. noted his previous coverage kept increasing annually until he found a more stable private option. Sofia S. expressed delight with her plan and began recommending it to others. These stories echo a common theme: when families move beyond one-size-fits-all government marketplaces, they often discover customized protection that better safeguards both health and finances.
Founder Jordan Sarmiento’s own journey underscores the stakes. In 2021, a six-day hospitalization generated a $95,000 bill. Under a well-structured private “Conservative Care Coverage” plan, his out-of-pocket responsibility would have been just $500. That stark difference illustrates how thoughtful planning and private options can prevent a medical event from becoming a financial catastrophe.
Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.