Friday's Labor Department report on regional and state employment in September showed that unemployment declined in 8 election battleground states. Polls reveal a very close election race, particularly in a few key states where Kerry and President Bush are placing a lot of focus. Closely contested states where unemployment rates declined last month include Pennsylvania, Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Nevada, Colorado and Ohio.
See "Unemployment Drops in Battleground States", The New York Times, October 21, 2004