Media Tip Sheet: President Biden's Campaign to Prioritize Rust Belt States


May 1, 2024

President Biden's path to reelection hinges increasingly on Rust Belt states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, as polling shows Trump leading in Sun Belt states like Arizona and Georgia. While Biden’s campaign has not written off the Sun Belt entirely, they are prioritizing defense in the Blue Wall states where polling remains close.

Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to provide context, commentary and analysis on this matter. If you would like to speak to an expert, please contact GW Media Relations Specialist Tayah Frye at [email protected].


Todd Belt is the director of the Political Management Program at the GW Graduate School of Political Management. Belt is an expert on the presidency, campaigns and elections, mass media and politics, public opinion, and political humor. In addition to his expertise, Belt is co-author of four books and helps to run GW’s political poll, which recently shared new findings

Peter Loge is the director of GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs. He has nearly 30 years of experience in politics and communications, having served as a deputy to the chief of staff for Sen. Edward Kennedy during the 1995 shutdown, a VP at the US Institute of Peace in 2013, and held senior positions for three members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Loge currently leads the Project on Ethics in Political Communication at the School of Media and Public Affairs and continues to advise advocates and organizations. 

Danny Hayes, professor of political science, is an expert on campaigns and elections who can discuss the current election landscape and provide insights and analysis on current campaign strategies. 

Christopher Warshaw, an associate professor of political science at the George Washington University, is an expert on redistricting, American politics, representation, public opinion, as well as state and local politics. 

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