This U.S. city’s industry was hit hard by the trade war. CTV News asked voters if it’s swayed them

DALTON, Ga. – At the Oakwood Café, people aren’t shy about telling you who they’re voting for in the midterms.

“Republican Party across the board,” said Mike Hales, a lifelong Republican who supports his country’s aggressive tariff stance and tariffs on Canada.

“They’ve leaned on the United States to a point it’s time to stop it,” Hales said of Canada. “If I order something it’s from overseas, or wherever it may come from, I have to pay a tariff on it. But I agree with that. It supports the United States.”

Larry Dycus agrees.

“I am for the tax for Canada,” he said. “I’m going to keep voting the same way. I know it’s put hardships on American people.”

Dalton, a manufacturing hub about an hour and a half northwest of Atlanta, is the self-proclaimed “Carpet Capital of the World.”

That industry is among those significantly impacted by the Canada-U.S. trade war.

Two-way tariffs

Canada has put a series of tariffs on American carpets and textiles, ranging between 25-50 per cent, since the start of the spat. Earlier this month, the U.S. amended its 50 per cent tariff list to include Canadian carpets of various kinds.

Several companies refused to speak to CTV News about the tariffs’ impacts. One person in the industry, who didn’t want to be identified, said he was afraid to speak out because of backlash from those who support U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump won Georgia in 2024 by a 2.2-point margin. And while the Republicans still have a lot of support, it appears to be waning, locals say.

“I’ve noticed it in those circles that are red, that it is dwindling, and in some ways very heavily,” said area-resident Morgan Jones.

‘It’s going to be ugly’

Kasey Carpenter, the owner of Oakwood Café and Republican state representative for the district, admits voter discontent over the war in Iran and soaring prices from the grocery store to the gas station is “hard to outrun.”

He anticipates a major blow to his party in the midterms.

“I think nationally it’s going to be ugly. I hope not state-wide,” he said.

Other voters in the city have noticed a shift in support for Trump in the traditionally red part of the state and hope the midterms send Trump a message.

“I’m definitely not red anymore,” said Kelsey Callahan, who grew up in a Republican household.

“He’s kept none of the promises he said he would,” she said. “I do think we will see a shift and I’m really holding on to that hope because I have a few friends who were die-hard Trump supporters who said they no longer can support it and they’re going to vote differently this time around.”

In a break with Trump, Carpenter said he doesn’t like the trade war with Canada and hopes it can be resolved quickly.

“I understand what he’s [Trump] trying to do, but it’s also, you know, we always hold you in high esteem and a lot of your folks drive through Georgia on their way to Florida to avoid the winter,” Carpenter said. “We want to make sure you’re hearing us from Georgia that we’re big fans of the Canadians and appreciate what you do. And sorry, we’re all, we’re both kind of caught in this fight.”