NOTE: This survey has been closed.
The nation has spoken: Donald Trump and Hillary Rodham Clinton are the two major party presidential candidates headed for the general election. Voters' decision in November will have a significant impact on all aspects of the U.S., and the construction industry is watching the election closely. From federal regulations to infrastructure spending to housing policy, the next administration will have a lasting impact on the industry.
Ripple effects of the presidential race have already emerged in construction growth forecasts, as the American Institute of Architects predicted that uncertainty surrounding the election could stifle stronger expansion in the nonresidential construction industry. On the housing side, a May Zillow survey found that economists expect a Trump presidency would harm U.S. housing markets and the country's overall economy, while Clinton would have a more positive effect on housing.
Both candidates have voiced support of boosting infrastructure spending, with Clinton proposing a five-year, $275 billion infrastructure plan she said she will roll out to Congress within the first 100 days of her first term. Trump has not yet revealed a specific infrastructure funding plan, but he has called for large investments in transportation projects without raising the gas tax — aligning with the traditional Republican stance.
The construction industry traditionally leans Republican. So far this 2016 election cycle, the construction industry has donated $66,752,888 to candidates — with 69% to Republicans and 30% to Democrats, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. However, construction unions typically favor Democratic candidates, and North America's Building Trades Union — an alliance of 14 national and international unions — endorsed Clinton in December, soon after she announced her transportation plan.
In a Construction Dive survey late last year, we asked readers which candidate — of the 17 in the race at the time — would be best for the construction industry. Our results showed that Sanders won by far, with Trump in second place, and Clinton in third. Readers favoring Sanders cited his $1 trillion infrastructure plan, and those choosing Trump pointed to his business experience and history in the construction and real estate sectors.
Now that the race has been whittled down to two candidates for the November election — aside from third-party candidates — we want to hear from you about which candidate you think would be best for the construction industry, and why. Take the survey above and tell us your thoughts. We'll keep the survey open for two weeks and will update you with the results later this month.
If the survey does not load above, you can also take it here.