On prices, production and employment, campaigns offer wildly different takes. Here are the facts for the Pittsburgh area.

The U.S. Steel Building rises beyond the office and hotel buildings along Grant Street, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, in downtown Pittsburgh. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource) The Pittsburgh area is a swing region in an up-for-grabs state. Perceptions of the regional economy could decide the White House. The numbers say the region has done well, but has weaknesses. “PublicSource is an independent nonprofit newsroom serving the Pittsburgh region.& Sign up for our free newsletters.” by Eric Jankiewicz, PublicSource September 5, 2024 This year’s election largely revolves around the economy, post-COVID recovery and inflation.& “Americans are struggling in [President Joe] Biden’s economy,” claims an ad by Make America Great Again Inc., alleging surging electricity costs and food prices. The “Biden and Harris team got to work rebuilding America’s economy,” counters an ad by Unite the Country. In her presidential bid, Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, has proposed enhanced tax credits for families with kids, housing assistance and efforts to stop price gouging. Former President Donald Trump, a Republican, pledges to impose tariffs while bringing prices down and cut taxes if he’s elected.& How will that rhetoric and those issues play in the Pittsburgh region, which is fairly evenly divided between...