Voters in pivotal Pennsylvania county weigh in on Trump, Harris and the problems: ‘This space actually counts’

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Because the sinking of the Titanic greater than 100 years in the past, one Pennsylvania county has voted for the last word winner of a US presidential election all however 3 times.

The political pulse of Northampton County has predicted 25 of the final 28 elections — relationship again to Woodrow Wilson’s victory in 1912, when he bested Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.

Northampton’s solely misses have been Richard Nixon in 1968 and George W. Bush in each 2000 and 2004.

Situated on the Keystone State’s jap edge and roughly equidistant from New York Metropolis and Philadelphia, Northampton County and neighboring Lehigh County make up the Higher Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania’s third-largest metropolitan space. “The Valley” is house to a few cities on the post-industrial upswing — Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton — and dotted with rural and suburban municipalities.

Chatting with The Put up simply two months forward of the showdown between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, voters from The Valley spilled their ideas on the race they’re county will as soon as once more assist resolve this November.

Denise Marshall, 72, Nazareth

A lifetime Northampton County resident who spent 35 years instructing center college, Denise has lived in her house in Nazareth Borough (pop. 6,000) for the final 13 years. She now works part-time for Weight Watchers and enjoys spending time along with her grandson.

Denise says she’s been a Republican since first registering to vote and describes herself as a robust conservative, her views based mostly on the necessity to enact what she calls “gradual, logical change” and assist for a robust nationwide protection.

“Republicans are professional ensuring others know we’re a robust nation, that we have now energy, and we’re not afraid to make use of that energy when wanted,” she informed The Put up, noting that international leaders have been “skeptical” of difficult America throughout Trump’s time period.

Denise believes Trump’s dealing with of financial points and talent to comply with via on guarantees are his biggest strengths, whereas talking carelessly and sounding “cringey” at instances is a possible downside.

“I feel [Trump] must be slightly extra cautious, to pay attention extra on what he and his administration can do to assist People, reasonably than what the opposition will do to harm us,” Denise mentioned.

Whereas she doesn’t discover Harris to be reliable, Denise is impressed along with her marketing campaign adverts and believes that the veep being practically twenty years youthful than Trump could possibly be an ace within the gap.

“Age positively works in her favor by way of the subsequent 4 years,” she informed The Put up. “I feel she’s interesting to youthful voters, girls voters for certain.”

George Ziegler, 60, Bethlehem

Additionally an educator, George has spent 25 years within the public college system, together with time as a highschool English trainer. The daddy of two grownup sons, he now works as a literacy coach.

As a self-described sturdy liberal who has voted persistently for Democrats, George says he’s most centered on gun security and public college funding — points he says Harris will higher tackle than Trump.

“Kamala Harris has persistently supported elevated funding in public schooling, advocating for larger trainer pay and higher sources for colleges,” George informed The Put up.

“On gun security, she has pushed for stronger gun management measures, together with common background checks and a ban on assault weapons, which I imagine are essential steps to decreasing gun violence in colleges and communities,” he added.

George believes the Trump administration’s schooling insurance policies unjustly favored non-public colleges, and that he didn’t act meaningfully on the gun concern.

“[Trump’s] administration… confirmed little urgency in addressing gun violence, focusing extra on arming academics than on implementing commonsense gun security legal guidelines that might forestall tragedies,” he mentioned.

As a Northampton County voter, George says he feels a “sturdy duty” due to the “important weight” his poll will carry nationally.

“There’s a way of added significance figuring out that my vote might assist decide the result in a state that usually swings all the election,” George concluded.

Eric Zwick, 72, Decrease Macungie Township

Eric is an actual property investor who has lived in Pennsylvania for 28 years since shifting from New Jersey. He’s persistently voted for Democrats up via the Invoice Clinton period, however informed The Put up that because the flip of the century, he’s turn out to be dissatisfied with the Democrats. Sad with what he calls “the social gathering of the welfare state,” Eric has since turn out to be a Republican.

“Kamala’s place is [to] convey in additional individuals, or get the individuals on welfare to assist the Democratic Celebration,” Eric mentioned of Harris’ file on unlawful immigration.

Eric says the file inflation seen throughout the Biden-Harris years has compelled him to extend the price of dwelling for his tenants.

“I really feel responsible once I elevate their rents [by] $50 a month,” he informed The Put up. “I’m on the lookout for a extra steady financial coverage, and I feel we had that with Trump.”

Although he describes himself as conservative, Eric believes some Republicans “are simply method excessive” on points like abortion.

“The states which have Republicans turn out to be ‘no abortion in any respect prices,’” Eric mentioned of the post-Roe GOP. “No abortions for rape, no abortions for incest, and I completely disagree with that.”

Whereas he shall be voting in blue-leaning Lehigh County, Eric nonetheless feels the strain to get his vote proper. 

“I really feel that, now greater than ever, each single vote on this space actually counts,” he mentioned.

Sheri Curtin, 59, Bethlehem

A medical analysis advisor within the pharmaceutical business, Sheri says her average views on the problems “wouldn’t make both social gathering comfortable.”

Sheri informed The Put up she’s involved about ongoing issues with medication and crime, in addition to girls’s reproductive rights.

“You don’t give these drug addicts clear works and say ‘have at it,’ you get them into rehab packages,” Sheri mentioned of Democrats’ “secure haven” method to drug points. “And if you need to try this via jail techniques, then do it.”

Sheri additionally criticized Harris’ time as a liberal California prosecutor, telling The Put up that “Kamala’s prosecution file doesn’t give me lots of heat and fuzzy that she’s gonna be laborious on these criminals which might be destroying our society.”

However like the opposite voters, Sheri strongly rebuked the Republicans’ stance on abortion, calling Trump’s resolution to nominate Supreme Courtroom justices who overturned Roe v. Wade “a huge bonehead transfer.”

“Coming from a medical background… a lady’s proper to guard her life or spare an unjust and depressing existence for a kid that can most likely not survive just isn’t honest,” Sheri mentioned.

“You’re forcing a situation on individuals, and it will not be one which they will comfortably stay with,” she added.

Requested in regards to the affect she’ll have as a Northampton County voter, Sheri answered merely: “If you happen to don’t vote, don’t bitch!”

M.T., 23, Bethlehem

{An electrical} engineer by commerce, M.T. spoke with The Put up anonymously as a result of he’s a authorities worker with a safety clearance. For him, this election will come right down to the economic system, immigration and abortion. His Catholic religion and want to have a number of youngsters are a major consider shaping how he views these points, and his final resolution on the poll field this November.

“The price of dwelling is simply too excessive for latest faculty graduates to get began and construct and save for issues like beginning a household and having youngsters,” M.T. informed The Put up, noting that many grads like himself are burdened with scholar debt. “We as a rustic want youngsters and it must be one thing that [is] promoted extra.”

M.T. objects to Harris’ sturdy pro-choice stance, calling her YouTube adverts on the topic “morally disturbing.”

“I feel that you may’t kill harmless unborn youngsters merely since you don’t know what their potential is,” he mentioned. “They could possibly be the subsequent Albert Einstein or Tom Brady and have the potential to influence so many different individuals’s lives in a optimistic method.”

Nonetheless, M.T. isn’t any fan of Trump due to his function within the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Although he voted for Trump in 2020, he has vowed to not assist him this 12 months.

“If Trump have been to lose this election, I don’t really feel assured that the unconventional MAGA Republicans would settle for Harris’ win, they usually might escalate political polarization additional to probably harmful ranges,” he added.

Third social gathering voters’ numbers have shrunk this cycle since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his marketing campaign final month, however M.T. stays amongst them.

“If Nikki Haley was on the ticket, that will be the best resolution I’d ever make on the voting poll,” M.T. informed The Put up, including that he’s strongly contemplating “throwing away” his vote to write down her in. “However sadly, she just isn’t.”

Requested if something would make him think about voting for the Democrats, M.T. mentioned he’d have to see Harris changed on the high of the ticket with a extra average candidate like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.