The United States of Pennsylvania

2024/10/25

The Daily

Key Insights

Why is Pennsylvania considered the most important state in the 2024 election?

Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes, the most of any swing state, making it crucial for both candidates' paths to victory.

Why did Pennsylvania shift from reliably Democratic to competitive in recent elections?

The decline of union jobs and the appeal of Trump's message about American decline resonated with non-college-educated voters.

How has education level become a significant factor in voting patterns in Pennsylvania?

Non-college-educated voters lean Republican, while college-educated professionals tend to vote Democrat.

What is Kamala Harris's campaign strategy in Pennsylvania?

Drive up turnout in cities and suburbs, focusing on college-educated voters, while minimizing losses in rural areas.

Why is the non-college-educated voter base shrinking in Pennsylvania?

Rural areas are aging, and younger generations are moving to cities for better opportunities, leading to a decline in this demographic.

How are demographic changes affecting Pennsylvania's political landscape?

Suburban areas are growing with college-educated professionals, shifting the balance towards Democrats.

What is Donald Trump's strategy to maintain Pennsylvania's support?

Expand his base by appealing to non-college-educated voters in other demographic groups, such as Latinos and young black men.

How are newcomers changing Lancaster County's political dynamics?

Newcomers, particularly college-educated retirees, are shifting the political landscape towards Democrats.

What challenges do Democratic newcomers face in traditionally Republican areas like Lancaster County?

They often feel isolated and must navigate subtle cues to find like-minded individuals without overt political displays.

How does the changing demographic in Lancaster County reflect broader trends in Pennsylvania?

Lancaster County mirrors statewide trends where rural, non-college-educated voters decline, and suburban, college-educated voters increase.

Chapters

Pennsylvania's significance in the election is due to its 19 electoral votes and its status as a swing state. The state's political landscape has shifted from being reliably Democratic to competitive, influenced by the 2016 election and the growing divide between college-educated and non-college-educated voters.

Pennsylvania has 19 electoral votes, the most of any swing state.
The state has historically been close in presidential elections.
The 2016 election saw a significant shift with Trump winning the state, breaking a trend of Democratic reliability.

Shownotes Transcript

Throughout this election, one state has been at the center of every imaginable path to victory: Pennsylvania. Both candidates have campaigned there relentlessly, and both parties have spent more money there than in any other state.

Campbell Robertson, who has been reporting from Pennsylvania, discusses the shift that is reshaping the map in Pennsylvania.

Guest: Campbell Robertson), a reporter for the National desk at The New York Times.

Background reading:

Inside the battle for America’s most consequential battleground state).
Small-town Pennsylvania is changing), and Democrats see opportunity.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily). Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts) or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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