Hundreds of Pennsylvania rural Democratic voters gathered at “Demstock,” where they bonded over feeling isolated in mostly Republican communities and discussed their efforts to increase support for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in the battleground state. The event featured speeches from U.S. Sen. John Fetterman and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who highlighted the importance of rural Democrats in Pennsylvania. Both campaigns have invested in reaching out to rural voters, with the Harris-Walz campaign opening offices in rural counties that Trump won in 2020.
The goal is not to turn deep-red counties blue, but to narrow Trump’s margins in the state. Trump’s Pennsylvania campaign highlighted issues like inflation and the border as key concerns for rural voters. The state’s Democratic Party chair emphasized the importance of reaching rural voters, along with energizing suburban and urban bases. Both campaigns have made efforts to engage rural voters, with Harris and Walz visiting small towns in western Pennsylvania during a bus tour.
Despite the challenges posed by ruby-red counties, rural Democrats are committed to narrowing the margins and engaging voters. For attendees of Demstock, the event was an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and share strategies for energizing rural voters. The overall message from Democratic officials is that winning the White House will require engaging rural Pennsylvania voters and driving up support in all areas of the state.
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