In Pennsylvania, the Democrats’ difficult battle in rural lands

Voter list in hand, Carin Pacifico tirelessly knocks on people’s doors. The challenge for this Democratic activist is to survey rural Pennsylvania won by Donald Trump and convince potential Kamala Harris voters to vote between now and November 5.

“You are in good shape for 81”she says to John, a voter registered as a Democrat, before asking him if he will choose well « Harris » during the American presidential election, one of the closest in the country’s history.

“I’m not saying yes, I’m not saying no”replies the octogenarian on his doorstep.

“That’s saying he’s voting Trump without saying he’s voting Trump. The legendary politeness of Altoona »a rural land once a railway center of the region, Carin Pacifico then deciphers.

Replenishing the votes possible in this rural Pennsylvania, far from the urban centers of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, will be essential for the Democrats’ chances of winning the state. Among the seven states most contested between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Pennsylvania is the one which gives the greatest number of votes to the electoral college to nominate the future president of the United States.

But it’s quite a challenge for Carin Pacifico, a slender and energetic sixty-year-old.

“I know who I’m going to vote for, get out of my house!” »says a woman, listed as independent on the detailed map that the activist uses for her door-to-door canvassing.

“Secret voters”

In a small campaign room in the city center, Gillian Kratzer, 43, refines her battle plan, maps of the region and electoral lists spread out in front of her. On the wall, posters of Kamala Harris form an American flag.

“It’s an uphill battle. Those who work for Democrats in rural areas know this from the start”summarizes this local party official.

Around her, volunteers listen to instructions.

“We want Democrats here to know that they have every right to speak out. (…) It doesn’t matter that there are fewer of us. We are in a democracy”les motive Gillian Krazter.

However, admitting to being a supporter of Kamala Harris does not seem so simple.

“There are a lot of secret Kamala voters. But everyone here has a shotgun and some of them are…”sighs Carin Pacifico, gesturing with her head. “And others don’t want affairs with their former classmates”she adds.

As she continues her tour, with the Allegheny Mountains as a backdrop, she is confronted with all kinds of opinions. The election leaves some voters indifferent, while others have already voted. In one house, the husband is a Trumpist, the wife a Democrat. Several voters put off by the left still say they are inspired by the Vice-President of the United States.

Democratic supporter says she wouldn’t feel safe with a sign « Harris » on his lawn.

“I don’t need this kind of hassle”she whispers.

“The most votes”

“We are really trying to encourage people who have sympathy for Kamala (…) to go vote”explained Carin Pacifico.

“The challenge is for her to have the most votes, to win the State”she insists.

Pennsylvania is sometimes described by political observers as “Philadelphia and Pittsburgh separated by Alabama”in other words two large multicultural metropolises separated by a largely white and conservative region.

“In western Pennsylvania, we are still dealing with the fallout from the collapse of the steel industry decades ago, while in the southeast there is an influx of new residents from all over the world. the United States »explains Kyle Kopko, professor of political science at Elizabethtown University.

Rural parts of the state have been hit by inflation, climate change and the exodus of young, working-age residents. And the divide is particularly felt in small towns which suffer from the ravages of opioid addiction.

“I think we are a forgotten people. The focus is on cities »explains Kim Botteicher, who runs an association helping people addicted to these drugs.

According to her, the candidates in the November elections did not pay enough attention to the concerns of the inhabitants of these regions, while their vote could make the difference.

“I feel like when you’re rural, it’s like you have to stay rural forever, and you have to somehow get by.”she adds, confiding that she must constantly travel the state to attract attention and obtain funds.