Pennsylvania
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As many DUers know, Harris/Walz bus tour made a stop in Rochester, a small town in Beaver County. It's rare for candidates running for national office to make stops here. We are generally an R voting county with plenty of discouraged Dems. Our county Dem party tries, but lacks youthful energy. But the bus stop by the Harris campaign seems to have changed that and created an excitement that Dems here haven't had for a long time.
Yesterday I went down to see if they had yard signs. I arrived a few minutes before the office opened and was surprised to enter with 3 or 4 other people who'd also been waiting in their cars for the door to open. Two of the people were there for volunteer training. I overheard one of them state they were there because of Michelle Obama's call to "do something". When I signed in, noticed "yard signs" was the reason for the visit for the 8-10 people who were signed above me.
They had yard signs for every state and local candidate (we are down to just 1 Dem state house rep in the county), but Dems have a good candidate for an open state house seat and a challenger to the incumbent R state senator. They had window placards for Harris/Walz, but no yard signs yet. I got the signs I wanted and also the placards for Harris/Walz. The office was expecting a supplemental shipment of yard signs for Sen Casey. I will check back for the Harris yard signs.
The head of the office seemed a bit caught off guard by the flurry of activity as soon as the doors opened.
Also learned that the head of the county Rs had called for Trumpers to come out and protest Harris' visit. The turnout was about 4 or 5 pick up trucks, a couple of people holding a "Trump won" flag and a small contingent of Trumpers, although I didn't see them to estimate a count, on the corner opposite where Harris was. Considering there was a call to action by the county GOP, the protest was small.
I doubt Harris will win my county, but hopefully we'll cut into Trump's margin.
John1956PA
(3,388 posts)I had been breakfast dining at the Chippewa Township hotdog shop. I have cut back from dining out in general, one of the reasons is that I do not care for overhearing the comments from MAGA patrons. Earlier this year, when President Biden announced his plan to visit East Palestine, a few MAGAs at the restaurant table behind me were contemplating organizing a throng of protesters. Also, they were talking about attending a right wing speaker's presentation in a church hall. The farm areas in the county are deeply red. The outcome of race for the open seat which is being created by Jim Marshall's retirement will be interesting. I will skip attending the Big Knob Grange fair this year. The GOP tent will be busy with MAGA visitors. I hope there is a silent contingent of Dem and Independent voters who will turn the county blue this year.
Deminpenn
(16,325 posts)She has really done a lot to improve things in Beaver Falls and the city is on an upward swing. She's working closely with the CDC to get things done, too. Sadly too many people around here remain "afraid" to come down and enjoy the community events and improving town.
Perused the county GOP's social media and saw there's a Trump merch sale in Chippewa on 9/7. Might have to stroll over and check that out.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,906 posts)Appreciate the insight!
Deminpenn
(16,325 posts)In 2023, we did oust an incumbent R DA for a Dem DA . Also in 2023 the voters in my school district ousted the "moms for liberty" type voting bloc on the school board in favor of a bloc of sane candidates.
In 2022, Gov Shapiro won the county. Gov Wolf won it twice (2014, 2018). Sen Casey won it in 2018.
There are Rs who can be won over.
Deminpenn
(16,325 posts)campaign stop in Rochester PA. (scroll down). I count fewer than 20.
Residents line Rochester streets for Harris/Walz campaign bus
https://www.timesonline.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/elections/presidential/2024/08/18/residents-line-rochester-streets-for-harriswalz-campaign-bus-beaver-county-president-election/74853373007/