Unemployment falls in 31 states ahead of elections

Unemployment rates fell in 31 states between August and September, the Labor Department announced Tuesday.

Eight states experienced increases in their jobless rates in the run-up to the midterm elections, while 11 states and Washington, D.C. saw no change.

Sixteen states also had unemployment rates significantly lower than the national average of 5.9 percent, while 10 states and Washington, D.C. posted jobless rates above that level.

{mosads}Some of the states with drops in their unemployment rates happen to be those where incumbent governors and senators are in tight reelection races. 

Colorado and Kentucky, for instance, had the largest drop between August and September from 5.1 percent to 4.7 percent and 7.1 percent to 6.7 percent, respectively. Sens. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) could receive a boost from the numbers as they face voters in two weeks’ time.

Similarly, the jobless rate in Georgia dropped from 8.1 percent to 7.9 percent, which could benefit incumbent Gov. Nathan Deal (D) in his race against Jason Carter, the former president’s grandson. Georgia, however, had the highest unemployment rate among states last month. North Dakota had the lowest jobless rate of 2.8 percent.

Florida’s jobless rate fell from 6.3 percent to 6.1 percent, which could also help Gov. Rick Scott (R) in his race against former Gov. Charlie Crist (D).

Over the last year, unemployment rates have dropped in 42 states and Washington, D.C. Rates increased in five states and were unchanged in three.