In the industrial Midwestern states that unexpectedly flipped to Trump in 2016, Democrats have more cause than ever to believe they can win back states such as Wisconsin and Michigan. In Arizona and Georgia, traditionally red states, party officials see the virus’ disproportionate effect on communities of color enhancing conditions for victory.

At the same time, the widespread disruption has presented the president with an opportunity to improve his standing in competitive states such as Nevada and New Hampshire, where Trump was presumed to be at a slight disadvantage…

In states significantly affected by the pandemic’s economic fallout, he said, “it will certainly go to the economics, and when that happens, how those states fared, how many job losses and losses of life happen — that could be an opportunity to reshape the lens.”

Some of the first signs of electoral upheaval are materializing in Florida, where GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, a close Trump ally, is one of the few big-state governors who has seen his approval ratings erode over his handling of the pandemic.