Economics

Labor Markets in Key Election States Are Among Worst in U.S.

Key measure of state labor markets fell in 36 states in March
Post-coronavirus recovery key to Trump’s re-election bid

Voters wearing protective masks stand in line to cast ballots at a polling station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 7. — Voters wearing protective masks stand in line to cast ballots at a polling station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 7.
Photographer: Thomas Werner/Bloomberg

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By Gregory Korte

April 22, 2020 at 8:05 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Labor markets in key presidential battleground states are among the hardest hit by the virus-induced economic crisis, according to an index of state activity released Wednesday.

The data further highlights the pressure on President Donald Trump to return Americans to work, without worsening the public health crisis that has killed more than 45,000 people.