Staff Reports
The Democrats are still reeling from their disastrous 2024 electoral performance against Donald Trump and the Republicans, and for good reason. Everyone knew that Pennsylvania would be the pivotal battleground, and as expected, Trump took it decisively. Surprisingly, Pennsylvania was never on the GOP’s radar, yet here we are, with two wins in the last eight years. Meanwhile, states like Michigan and Wisconsin have also slipped out of Democratic hands, becoming unexpected victories for Republicans.
What has been the game changer? Trump himself. His ability to reshape the GOP into a multiracial working-class party has left many scratching their heads, especially Democrats who thought they could reclaim their lost territories. Pennsylvania’s shift appears to be echoing the transition seen in Ohio: once a swing state, now reliably red. Democrats seem determined to stop this trend, but there are growing signs that the Keystone State might follow Ohio’s lead into a more conservative future.
I Have A Message For The Democrats:
Erie County, we are coming for you.
Lehigh County, we are coming for you.
Lackawanna County, we are coming for you.Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, & Philadelphia, we are coming for you
— peacefully.
CC: Pennsylvania pic.twitter.com/ImlcTowCmQ
— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) November 19, 2024
In the wake of their electoral beating in Pennsylvania, Democrats are throwing around the concept of a revival—much like a band that insists its latest album flopped due to a “creative difference” rather than lackluster tunes. Bethany Hallam, an Allegheny County council member representing the progressive wing, believes her party can rectify the situation before Pennsylvania turns into another Ohio. But she might want to tread lightly, considering her party’s base is getting increasingly vocal and visible. Those Trump voters are not going to fade back into obscurity anytime soon; they’re likely to come out strong in future elections, emboldened by the fact that their candidate emerged victorious.
Political analysts, like those at the University of Pennsylvania, suggest that predicting Pennsylvania’s trajectory is difficult. However, it’s hard not to see the writing on the wall for a party that’s losing ground among younger and Hispanic voters. While the Republican win was narrow—a measly 1.8 percentage points—it’s still telling. The GOP’s ascendance signifies that Pennsylvania may no longer be a safe bet for Democrats moving forward.
History has shown that nothing is set in stone. For years, it was nearly a given that Florida was slipping away from Republican control, but that theory has since found its final resting place, similar to the fate of a well-known Iranian general. The future of Pennsylvania isn’t locked away in a political vault; it requires constant engagement and strategy from Republicans. The groundwork has been laid, and with Trump at the helm, it’s clear that Pennsylvania has transformed into an arena where conservative values are making a legitimate comeback.
