Unlike sentiment toward Trump’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, feelings on the tax plan in the district were largely defined by partisan allegiance.
Michael Lee, a Saccone supporter and CEO of Charleroi, Pennsylvania-based Lee Supply Co., backs the tax cuts and said he expects his company to make a “substantial” boost to capital expenditures because of them. He added that his company is still waiting to see whether the tax changes have a big enough effect for the 130-employee company to bring on more workers.
Most likely Republican voters in the district — about 80 percent — back the tax plan, according to a Gravis Marketing poll released this week. About 8 percent of those Republicans disapprove of it, while roughly 12 percent are undecided.
Overall, the survey found less than half of likely voters — 48 percent — approve of the tax plan. Thirty-six percent oppose it, while 16 percent are uncertain, according to the survey.
The same poll found Saccone with a 3 percentage point edge over Lamb in the special election.
Among independents, who could prove critical in the 18th District and around the country in November, only about 32 percent of likely voters said they approve of the tax plan, versus about 43 percent who said they disapprove.
Sandy Catone, a nurse and Lamb supporter from Harrison City, Pennsylvania, said she has traditionally voted for candidates from both parties. But this year she decided to vote for Democrats after seeing what Republicans prioritized while holding Congress and the White House after the 2016 elections.
Catone highlighted Social Security, gun control and tax cuts as the issues she most cares about. As for the tax plan, she thinks it favors corporations and the wealthy.
“I have a major issue with that,” she said.