Republican strategist Katie Zacharia has characterized a trend of declining metrics in certain American states as "blue blight," suggesting that policies in Democratic-leaning states are contributing to a decrease in college enrollment, a loss of manufacturing jobs, and an increase in taxes and energy costs.
The term, which Zacharia suggests may become more widely recognized, draws a parallel to the impact of Dutch Elm Disease on American elms. She points to data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicating that between 2017 and 2022, states that voted for then-Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 experienced a more substantial decline in higher education enrollment compared to Republican-leaning states. Out of six states that saw enrollment rise, five are described as "red" states: Georgia, Kentucky, Arizona, Indiana, and Utah.
Manufacturing and Economic Trends
Zacharia also highlights trends in manufacturing jobs, referencing California as an example. She notes that while the state's population has grown significantly since 1978, its manufacturing jobs have decreased from approximately 2 million to 1.2 million. This contrasts with the state's population increase to nearly 40 million. The decline in manufacturing jobs is presented as a consequence of "blue blight."
Further illustrating economic shifts, the article mentions a company executive who described doing business in a "blue state" as difficult, leading to a company relocation to Texas. The piece also points to a decrease in the number of oil refineries in California, from 23 in 2000 to 11 currently, with a corresponding drop in refining output. This is linked to higher gasoline prices for consumers in California compared to "red" states.
Student Enrollment and Cost of Living
The author references reporting on Syracuse University's challenges in attracting students, suggesting that students are increasingly considering not only the choice of college but also the job market and cost of living in the surrounding areas when making enrollment decisions. This may lead students to consider relocating to states with lower costs of living and perceived better job opportunities, such as Florida or Texas, rather than states like New York.
Zacharia concludes that voters ultimately determine their state's policies and can change course if they are concerned about the trends attributed to "blue blight."