While polls show voters' top concerns revolve around the economy and democracy itself, family issues offer a good snapshot of how voters feel about the state of America – and offer presidential candidates a way to share their vision for the nation. Safety, education, financial security, gender roles, and even immigration all factor into a family setting.

The candidates' family portraits on display are snapshots of modern America.

Former President Donald Trump, a wealthy businessman, has five children from three marriages, including two to immigrants. His running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, who grew up on the edge of poverty, has three children from his interracial marriage.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants, helped raise two stepchildren in her interracial marriage. Her vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and his wife relied on fertility treatments to have two children, one of whom was diagnosed with a learning disorder.

These portraits convey different undertones, says sociologist Richard Petts. “The conservative approach is: 'The government won't help, or it's not our job.' Small government, low spending, no public policy. … We need to go back to the glory days.” And the more liberal side is: “We need to spend tax dollars and provide social support to people who need it.”

Family is at the heart of the US presidential campaign: safety, education, financial security, gender roles and even immigration all factor into the family framework.

While voters say their biggest concern is the economy, family life offers a good perspective on how voters feel about the state of the country — and offers campaigns a way to share their vision for America.

Almost any problem can be portrayed as a family matter, says Christopher Devine, a political science professor at the University of Dayton. “Whether it creates a connection varies, and perhaps a candidate's success in doing so depends on their ability to talk about their relationships within their own family.”

The family portraits the candidates display are snapshots of modern America.

Former President Donald Trump, a wealthy businessman, has five children from three marriages. His wife and one of his former wives are immigrants. His vice presidential candidate JD Vance, who rose to the U.S. Senate from the brink of poverty in small-town Ohio with a combination of determination and his grandmother's determination, has three children from his interracial marriage.

Vice President Kamala Harris is the daughter of immigrants — a scholar and scientist — and helped raise two stepchildren in her interracial marriage. Its vice president, Tim Walz, and his wife of 30 years relied on fertility treatments to have their two children, one of whom was diagnosed with a learning disorder.