ERIE, Pa. — Michael Hooks has transformed an aging garage into a personal sanctuary, and the local community has recognized his efforts. One afternoon in October, as he works, multiple cars honk and people lean out their windows to greet him warmly. Inside his shop, about a dozen vehicles await repairs, while a newly adopted dog barks from its cage. Adjacent to his workspace, exercise gear, motorcycles, and power tools are arranged near a kitchen where his wife prepares dinner. At 58 years old, Hooks stands tall at 6 feet 2 inches, with a strong physique, a graying beard, and curly hair that may be dusted with snow flurries as the season changes.
“I think I’m one of the few Black business owners on this street,” he remarks, referencing his repair shop along Peach Street, a major thoroughfare in Erie. Though he appreciates the friendly gestures from those passing by, he is aware that many from his childhood neighborhoods do not frequent his shop. The majority of his clientele is white.
As a Black man and a business owner situated in a crucial swing state, Hooks finds himself part of a significant demographic in the current election. Both presidential campaigns are actively courting Black entrepreneurs, presenting various economic strategies and legislation they argue would enhance the lives and careers of African Americans. The perspectives of business owners and voters like Hooks regarding the economic proposals from each candidate could significantly influence the outcome of the presidential race. Erie County has historically backed the candidate who wins Pennsylvania in every presidential contest since 1992. In recent weeks, both Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris have made appearances in the city, which boasts a population of about 94,000.
“Erie is a pivotal area,” said Rhonda Matthews, co-founder of Erie Black Wall Street, an organization that advocates for local Black entrepreneurs. She believes that the happenings within Erie — from demographics to the initiation of new businesses — are indicative of broader national trends. “If you want insights into the economic landscape across the country, observing Erie can provide a clear picture.”
As political debates center around economic issues, Harris has introduced multiple proposals aimed at improving affordability and supporting small businesses. Conversely, Trump has focused on his pledges for extensive tariffs, significant corporate tax reductions, and a strict crackdown on both illegal and legal immigration.
Local leaders are considering how these varying agendas may affect their strategies to revitalize the region known as the Rust Belt. “The worst scenario would be a lack of predictability,” cautioned Drew Whiting, CEO of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation, which is managing over $100 million in private investments for the revitalization of the downtown area. He commended federal initiatives like Qualified Opportunity Zones, established during Trump’s administration to promote economic growth in underserved communities, as well as the benefits brought by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law initiated under Democratic President Joe Biden.
However, Whiting expressed concern that broad-based policies, such as Trump’s proposed 20% tariffs on foreign goods, could create “an inflation bomb” detrimental to small businesses within his sector. He perceives Harris’s suggested investments in small businesses as potentially beneficial, highlighting a proposed no-tax policy on tips that both Harris and Trump support could provide a significant advantage for employees.
Harris’s campaign is honing in on affordability, particularly amid rising inflation. Her plans to penalize companies involved in price gouging and her commitments to enhance healthcare and childcare assistance align with efforts to ease financial burdens on working-class families. In contrast, Trump’s strategy includes lowering the corporate tax rate to 15%, extending his previous tax cuts, and reducing taxes for families, including eliminating taxes on Social Security, despite many economists foreseeing that these proposals could exacerbate inflation.
While local business owners expressed cautious optimism regarding Harris’s proposal for small-business support, there remains skepticism about the real-life impact of federal policies. “There are just too many variables to consider, including both local and global factors,” said Gus Paliouras, who has run New York Lunch, a local diner since 1970. Paliouras, whose family immigrated to the U.S. from Greece, reflected on how his diner once thrived among other businesses situated above a post office, school, and church. Now, it stands as the sole remaining establishment in that block.
“I try to keep it neutral in here,” he remarked, likening his diner’s atmosphere to that of Geneva, Switzerland, known for its neutrality. He added, “Here in town, you could find supporters of Trump, Kamala, and Kennedy sitting shoulder to shoulder at the bar.” Earlier this year, Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign to endorse Trump.
Hooks views himself as someone who has prevailed against the odds. Raised in Erie, he faced poverty and a lack of options. At 23, he was imprisoned for 30 years due to marijuana trafficking but served only eight years. That experience, he claimed, was transformational, exposing him to religious texts and stories that ignited his interest in learning about travel, history, and business.
Despite overcoming various life challenges that shaped him into a better individual, he finds the distinctions drawn between the poor, working, and middle classes to be irrelevant. “It’s about people wanting to feel superior to someone else,” he noted in a recent conversation. “Whether you drive a Toyota Camry or a Lexus, it’s fundamentally the same car, just a different label—one signifies a higher status.”
Referring to Harris’s proposed $50,000 tax break for new small businesses, he expressed skepticism that such measures could succeed amid a society plagued by competitive superiority, even if his neighbor supports Trump. Aside from operating his auto repair shop, Hooks has also launched a food catering service. On weekends, he returns to the neighborhoods of his youth, offering free meals, clothing, and haircuts to children, aiming to ensure that they do not endure experiences similar to his own.
While Hooks harbors doubts about politicians’ ability to address the core challenges faced by everyday Americans, he has decided to cast his vote for Harris. “Trump was given a chance to succeed,” he stated, labeling his presidency a “disaster.” He believes it’s more prudent to support someone who “might genuinely attempt to help the little guy.”