gasper

Natural disasters, while devastating, are a chance for politicians to show voters their competence and humanity — or lack thereof — in a crisis, John Gasper, an economics professor at Carnegie Mellon University, said in an interview with Salon.

Gasper’s prior research found that incumbent presidents who approve disaster funding are seen more favorably by voters and those that don’t are viewed negatively by voters.

“How an official responds ends up being a good test of leadership for a voter constituent,” Gasper said.

Any wrong move is often bolstered by negative media attention and will likely stay in a voter's mind the closer a disaster is to an election, Gasper explained.

Gasper said it’s “hard to say” whether Harris and Trump’s response to Helene will be a “deciding difference” in November’s election, but decisions and images may linger in voters’ minds as they head to the polls amidst devastating loss of life and livelihoods.