Wat-Not Staff
In Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, a state that is a crucial battleground in the 2024 election, hundreds of rural Democrats gathered for an event called “Demstock.”
Modelled after the iconic Woodstock festival, Demstock served as a space for rural Democrats to connect, strategize, and prepare to reduce former President Donald Trump’s margins in their predominantly Republican communities. The event, now in its sixth year, highlighted the critical role these voters play in the upcoming election.
Rural Democrats To Narrow Trump’s Lead
One of the main goals discussed at Demstock was not to flip red counties to blue, but to narrow Trump’s lead in these areas.
U.S. Senator John Fetterman and state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, among other speakers, emphasised the importance of rural Democrats in the election, calling them the “unsung heroes.”
Fetterman noted that the Harris-Walz campaign understands that winning Pennsylvania depends heavily on reducing Trump’s dominance in rural regions.
Investing in Rural Voters
The Harris-Walz campaign has significantly invested in reaching rural voters, opening nine of their 36 campaign offices in counties that Trump won by double digits in 2020.
Kenyatta highlighted that the campaign is focusing on providing resources like signs and literature to these areas, ensuring that rural voters feel included and energised.
Despite the deep red nature of these counties, Democrats are committed to making inroads that could prove decisive in a tightly contested state.
Phil Heasley, chairman of Demstock, stressed that engaging rural voters is crucial for Democrats to win the White House.
With events like Demstock, the party aims to inspire every last voter to turn out, believing that each vote could be the one that tips the scales.
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