A retired homicide detective with many stories to share. An aspiring screenwriter anxious about the possibility of a Trump presidency return. A determined Air Force veteran fueled by another cup of coffee.

These individuals are part of the countless Americans who watched the intense debate on Tuesday night between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, seeking insights, convincing arguments, or affirmation of their views.

The electoral race remains incredibly tight, with Harris and Trump often appearing in a deadlock in national polling. As pointed out by YSL News’s Susan Page, many likely voters hesitate to support Harris due to unfamiliarity with her, while others are hesitant about Trump because they know too much about his record.

Did the debate have a significant impact on voter opinions?

We engaged with our YSL News Network followers in the swing states of Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to hear their expectations for the debate, their preferences, and whether any views were altered as a result of the critical event.

North Carolina: A desire for a more restrained Trump

Fred Suco has a wealth of experiences to recount.

Some stories bring a grin, like the time basketball star Shaquille O’Neal called him at 1:30 a.m. to invite him to a beach party, or when singers Gloria and Emilio Estefan came to his bar to watch their daughter perform publicly for the first time.

Others carry significant weight, such as witnessing an elderly man in the path of a drug gang or dealing with a criminal who abandoned a child to be harmed by alligators.

These memories feel distant now. A 2017 accident left Suco with paralysis from the neck down.

He had to sell his restaurant, and with limited income and increased caregiving responsibilities for his wife, Cara, they decided to move to Raleigh, North Carolina, to benefit from lower housing costs.

However, Suco mentioned that managing finances has become increasingly challenging since then.

“Things have worsened economically. Prices have escalated,” he noted, referring to rising costs of essentials like groceries and property taxes.

At 66 years old and having emigrated from communist Cuba, he approaches proposals by Kamala Harris that rely on government intervention for lowering costs with skepticism.

He is more inclined towards the pro-business stance of Republicans. Although he would prefer if Trump were less vocal online, he appreciated economic conditions during Trump’s presidency.

“You always know his position because he expresses it clearly,” Suco remarked. “You can anticipate what he will do.”

Watching the recent debate from his Raleigh home adorned with art, Suco concluded that the event likely didn’t change voters’ preferences. He still believes that Harris hasn’t proven her ability to improve the country, while Trump has a track record of achievements.

“This country has been heading in the wrong direction these past three and a half years,” he stated. “With inflation and interest rates rising, whom can you trust?”

– Riley Beggin in Raleigh, North Carolina

Looking past imperfections for the right opportunity in Pennsylvania

Katie Nist identifies neither as a Republican nor a Democrat, believing that politics should not resemble a sports team mentality, despite how many individuals perceive it.

As the proprietor of a vintage clothing shop near the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia – the venue for the only scheduled debate between Harris and Trump – Nist, who grew up in small-town New Jersey and attended Purdue University, seeks utility in uniqueness.

Finding favorable vintage pieces often requires overlooking minor imperfections. Nist is looking for similar pragmatism in the presidential race.

In a time of intense division, “there’s no room for indifference,” she shared as her employee rang up a sale.

At 28 years old, Nist expresses concern over how people are glued to echo chambers and algorithms that simply reinforce their existing views, rather than seeking out mutually agreeable and practical solutions.

While Harris and Trump were debating nearby, Nist pondered issues relevant to her, such as access to healthcare, including birth control options, support for small businesses, and the skyrocketing rent for her apartment.

She often reflects on whether she’ll ever be able to afford having children and what educational opportunities will be available for them.

Nist, who hails from a family of small-business owners, started her venture selling vintage clothing while in college. She was disheartened by the lower minimum wage in Indiana compared to what she had earned in New Jersey. She has had to call 911 multiple times for people who have overdosed nearby and has had confrontations with a homeless man outside her previous store location. Like many residents of Philadelphia, she is attempting to find a balance between showing compassion and maintaining her quality of life.

A self-identified liberal, Nist feels that too many are fixated on singular issues or prioritize personality over policies.

“We need to learn to care about multiple things simultaneously,” she stated. “Not voting doesn’t help anyone; it harms us all.”

Nist watched the debate at The Plough & The Stars, an elegant bar just a short walk from the Constitution Center, where they served free Irish sausages for part of the evening.

Initially, she intended to cast her vote for Kamala Harris before the debate began. She was pleased to see the vice president’s enthusiasm, charisma, and focus on issues important to her.

After the debate wrapped up, Nist was somewhat stunned by the former president’s performance. “I can’t believe he claimed that immigrants were eating cats and dogs,” she remarked. “It feels like Trump just had a list of buzzwords and didn’t actually respond to the questions.”

– Phaedra Trethan in Philadelphia

A Wisconsin veteran feels Republicans have ‘given in’ to Trump

As you enter Neenah, Wisconsin, off Interstate 41, the speed limit drops from 70 to 25 mph, with the slower pace extending along the main street, Wisconsin Avenue, dotted with two-story law firms, cafes, and boutiques. It’s a well-kept town. The invention of Kleenex originated here.

Politically, it has been a mix of light blue surrounded by light red over the past two presidential elections, similar to Steve Nash’s voting patterns. Nash voted Democratic for the first time in 2016 after a lifetime of supporting Republicans.

On a recent morning, Nash filled a coffee mug featuring a logo from a “Never Trump” podcast, speaking in the precise manner of a retired Air Force pilot and American Airlines pilot.

“Negative,” he answered when asked if he would consider voting for Donald Trump.

Sipping his coffee, he criticized Republicans whom he believes have strayed from their core principles to rally behind the party’s brash leader.

“From Mitch McConnell down to those who curse Trump privately but still vote for him, their capitulation is unacceptable,” he remarked. “That’s not how a party should function. We aren’t here to endorse anyone.”

Discussions during Thanksgiving dinners with his in-laws are strained, contrasting with the civil exchanges between his Republican mother and Democratic father.

Nash’s aversion to the former president solidified in 2017 after Trump stated there were “good people on both sides” following a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a counter-protester was killed. His father’s cousin was a WWII pilot who fought against Nazi Germany.

He topped off his fourth Monday morning coffee in a mug emblazoned with a Ukrainian flag. To Nash, Putin, Hitler, and Trump represent similar threats.

“The only things that unite Americans are the Constitution and the ballot box,” Nash stated. “Mess with that, and we risk becoming another Venezuela or Colombia – take your pick – with nuclear weapons.”

While the veteran preferred Vice President Kamala Harris, he wasn’t completely sold on her policies either. However, he believed that the country’s wellbeing should surpass “a cult of personality.”

Thirty-six minutes into the debate on Tuesday, Nash reached for another bottle of IPA. It was empty. “I could go for another one.”

After ninety minutes of the former president’s often outrageous statements, Nash was somewhat impressed by the ABC moderators. “Good God, how do you maintain a straight face up there?” he wondered.

– Jesse Lin, in Neenah, Wisconsin

Seeking empathy in Georgia

During a character development class led by her screenwriting professor, 21-year-old Marley McDonald gazed at her laptop’s screensaver with its motivational message. “Make it happen,” it read in colorful block letters.

The key takeaway of the lesson: It’s essential to show empathy and kindness toward the experiences of people in your screenplay.

For McDonald, a senior at Georgia State University, getting empathy right in writing is crucial, but she believes it’s even more critical for those in power.

“These leaders have the ability to enact real change,” she expressed while navigating a bustling sidewalk in midtown Atlanta. “Some officials seem more focused on wealth and control than genuinely assisting the people.”

Empathy compels McDonald to support Vice President Kamala Harris.

Growing up in Washington, D.C., McDonald was actively involved in community service. She invested hours cleaning parks as a Girl Scout and recognized the positive impact of government grants while organizing food baskets at church for families in need.

She believes Harris is committed to funding programs that benefit people she cares about, like her grandfather, who relies on Medicare. She’s concerned that former President Donald Trump would dismantle these essential programs and further undermine rights she holds dear, like access to abortion.

“I want her to hold him accountable,” McDonald stated, shortly before joining friends to watch the debate at Manuel’s Tavern.

As the debate progressed, Marley was intrigued. “I commend Kamala for remaining composed despite his ignorant remarks about her and others,” she mentioned. “Labeling immigrants as criminals is misguided when America is meant to be a land of opportunity.”

She commended Harris for challenging Trump regarding his misleading comments about late-term abortions.

McDonald achieved her goal.

“I’m really proud of her,” she expressed.

– Karissa Waddick from Atlanta

Pursuing ambitious goals in Arizona

The sound of her three dogs, Chunk, Simba, and Menchie, echoed in Scianna Garcia’s kitchen as she contemplated her recent life change – just a week prior, the 21-year-old made a bold decision to give up her steady 9 to 5 job and fully commit to her home baking business.

“Previously, my mornings were packed: waking up at six to bake a cake, then rushing home at six to quickly prepare dinner and finish decorating,” Garcia explained as she carefully decorated a heart-shaped cake for one of her weekly orders. “Now that I’m fully dedicated to this, I finally have time for self-care in the morning and can actually enjoy breakfast.”

Garcia, who hails from Arizona, discovered her love for baking at a young age. “I come from a family of panaderos,” she shared, referencing the Spanish term for bakers.

Her business, “Sweets by Scianna”, took off in February 2023, and she now has a full schedule of orders every weekend.

Garcia identifies as a Democrat. She previously worked for a non-profit organization that supported working families and recently attended her first presidential rally in Phoenix, where Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota spoke.

Her enthusiasm is palpable.

“Since the rally, my positive feelings towards the Harris-Walz campaign have intensified and I feel hopeful,” Garcia expressed. “The atmosphere was incredible; listening to the political leaders and Kamala herself was inspiring. Her compassion really resonates with me.”

Excited but anxious, she noted that with national polls showing a tie between Harris and Trump, “the situation remains unpredictable.”

For the debate on Tuesday night, Garcia was eager to hear the candidates’ views on economic and immigration issues. She followed the debate from home with her dogs and chuckled as Trump attempted to clarify his fluctuating stance on the abortion rights referendum in Florida.

“She dominated him,” Garcia remarked about Harris.

“Trump didn’t provide any concrete answers to the questions posed regarding his presidency,” she pointed out. “In contrast, Kamala came prepared with facts and a solid plan that included numbers for her presidency. This is a significant reflection on the candidates.”

– Paula Soria Aguilar from Avondale, Arizona

Working tirelessly for Harris in Nevada

Alfonso Chavez’s gray shirt, emblazoned with the phrase “It’s Up to Us,” tends to be drenched with sweat as he makes his rounds in Nevada, a crucial battleground state.

Three weeks ago, Chavez, 25, decided to take a break from his comfortable, air-conditioned job as a cashier at the Virgin Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip to spend long hours canvassing in the sweltering 100-degree heat to encourage voter turnout for Culinary Workers Union Local 226.

His mother, Anita, a dedicated union worker who resolves members’ issues, motivates him. He recalls accompanying her to campaign events during Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Chavez knocks on 60 or more doors daily, engaging with union members such as bellmen, bartenders, servers, cooks, and laundry staff to ensure they’re planning to vote come November.

“They express gratitude and admire my bravery for doing this,” Chavez commented. “I tell them I genuinely enjoy informing people.”

He also encounters members who resign themselves to spending Election Day at home rather than voting.

“I remind them that they shouldn’t take their rights as Americans for granted,” he asserted. “It’s a privilege to vote.”

During Tuesday’s debate, Chavez juggled both canvassing efforts with watching Harris and Trump debate over the presidency.

“I’m hoping for a debate without too much shouting and arguing, unlike previous ones,” Chavez said on Monday. “What I really want to hear are clear talking points and policies. I believe Kamala needs to be more specific about her objectives. Let’s hope that’s for us.”

After 90 minutes, Chavez felt that Harris had provided the clarity and details he was looking for.

“She was strong, direct, and to the point. She didn’t engage in any back-and-forth banter,” Chavez observed. “When Trump told her to be quiet, she maintained her composure and smiled. She was careful not to fall into any traps.”

– Terry Collins from Las Vegas

Gaza’s impact on Michigan votes

Hannah D’Hondt watched Tuesday’s presidential debate on her college laptop, surrounded by the accolades earned by the Wayne State University speech and debate team, pondering whether Vice President Kamala Harris could sway her opinion.

D’Hondt, skilled in crafting convincing arguments, has successfully advocated for the importance of voting, especially in a vital state like Michigan.

“It’s quite nerve-wracking knowing that many swing states fall within the polling margin of error,” she remarked.

However, D’Hondt remained undecided about whether to vote for Harris or choose a third-party option as a form of protest – fully aware that selecting anyone other than the Democratic candidate could inadvertently aid Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office.

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What held her back was the U.S. support for Israel amid its devastating conflict in Gaza.

The deadly clashes between Israel and Hamas – and the resulting staggering civilian toll – have posed a serious challenge for Democrats in Michigan, home to a substantial Arab American community. D’Hondt, despite lacking any personal connection, found the reports from Gaza heart-wrenching. She has signed petitions and contributed small amounts to aid Palestinian families.

The business management major leans towards liberal views and voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, although she doesn’t see herself as a Democrat and is skeptical of the two-party system. Ahead of the debate, D’Hondt hoped for a more assertive stance from the vice president against the war in Gaza.

“Will Harris provide me with a better perspective on these issues?”

“Do we have any insight into her strategy regarding the issues in Israel and Gaza?” D’Hondt questioned.

During the debate, when Harris was probed about her views on Israel, D’Hondt quickly noted down important phrases using a Sharpie.

“The first thing I wrote was ‘Cease fire,’” she recalled. “What I really wanted to hear was her commitment to advocating for that.”

Although it wasn’t the comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict and aiding Gaza that D’Hondt was hoping for, the debate also highlighted her reasons for disliking Trump.

“Right now, I feel quite confident in casting my vote for Harris,” she stated, “primarily because I do not want Trump to succeed.”

− Maureen Groppe in Detroit