An early morning view of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Election Day on November 5, 2024. Rural voters played a pivotal role in Donald Trump's resounding victory. — AFP
Rural voters were instrumental in propelling Donald Trump to a significant win, surpassing pollster expectations and his previous electoral performances. Trump's campaign strategy centered on rural Americans, portraying them as the neglected heart of the nation ignored by urban elites. In the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania, Erie County, which has alternated between Democrat and Republican candidates in recent elections, solidly backed Trump this year.
Trump's support among rural voters had waned between his 2016 victory and his 2020 loss, but it rebounded strongly, with the Republican securing 63% of rural votes nationally, according to a CNN exit poll. Tom Eddy, chair of the Erie County Republican Party in Pennsylvania, attributed rural voters' motivation to economic concerns, particularly the cost of gas and grocery price inflation.
Turnout in some precincts reached nearly 90%, with Republican votes outnumbering Democratic ones by a ratio of three to one. Erie, a county that voted for Barack Obama in 2010, Trump in 2016, and Joe Biden in 2020, this year favored Trump by almost 2,000 votes. Dylan Robuck, a 28-year-old McDonald's employee in Erie, expressed optimism about Trump's tax cut proposals.
Trump also gained significant support among Latino men and first-time voters. Despite poll predictions of a close race, Trump was poised to win both the popular vote and the electoral college, potentially sweeping all seven swing states. His campaign, noted for its professionalism, focused on rural areas in these key states.
Trump repeatedly campaigned in rural Pennsylvania, emphasizing its 19 electoral college votes. Erie County voter Zachary Rindfuss, a scrap metal merchant, praised Trump's effectiveness. Gillian Kratzer, chair of the PA Dems' rural caucus, acknowledged that while economic issues were cited, racism, misogyny, and homophobia also played significant roles.
Despite Harris's campaign efforts, including a radio ad targeting rural voters and pledges to improve rural healthcare, these initiatives failed to sway rural America. Kratzer emphasized the need for the Democratic Party to invest in rural areas consistently for long-term change.
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