Democrats' Potential Recovery of Power Potentially Begins in Appalachian Communities Such As This One

Democrats' Potential Recovery of Power Potentially Begins in Appalachian Communities Such As This One

Reimagining the Democratic Agenda: Engaging Rural America

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (AP) - In a small Appalachian town where Republican Donald Trump garnered a staggering 85% of the vote in the 2020 presidential election, Janet Lynn Stumbo—a former Kentucky Supreme Court justice—found herself amidst the largest Democratic gathering she had ever seen in Johnson County. This event, known as the "Rural Listening Tour," marks the latest endeavor of the Kentucky Democratic Party to rekindle its presence in traditionally Republican strongholds.

The Democrats' path to power may be forged, step by step, through these one-on-one conversations. With the party's recent losses in states with significant rural populations, such as Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, it's crucial for the Democrats to recoup their footing in these regions. To regain the U.S. Senate and the presidency, appealing to rural and small-town voters is no less than indispensable.

At a town hall in downtown Paintsville, Colmon Elridge, the Kentucky Democratic chair, admitted that the party had neglected rural America. "We stopped having these conversations and folks didn't give up on the Democratic Party—we stopped doing the things we knew we needed to do," Elridge explained.

Trump carried 60% of small-town and rural voters in 2020, according to AP VoteCast data, a far cry from a generation ago when Democrat Bill Clinton won pluralities in Johnson County and captured Kentucky's electoral votes in the 1992 and 1996 presidential races. While it's not necessarily required to secure victories that Democrats carry a majority of these precincts, the goal is to consistently chip away at Republican margins.

To this end, Elridge emphasized the importance of laying a sustainable foundation for growth, stating, "We haven't won here before, but we can do it again."

Voice of Dissent

This gathering in Paintsville was a mix of town hall, therapy session, and pep talk. Stumbo and others voiced their outrage over conservative policies, lamented Trump's influence in the region, and expressed determination to offer rural communities an alternative.

Retired teacher Sandra Music, now a convert to the Democratic Party, singled out private school tuition voucher programs and the threat they pose to public education. Music also criticized Republicans for portraying Democrats as extreme, mentioning issues like abortion, transgender rights, and boys playing in girls' sports as propagandistic distractions from the Republican agenda.

Stumbo, the former justice, denounced the conservative shift in the courts, warning of long-term damage if this trend persists. Healthcare IT worker Michael Halfhill was bewildered that Trump had gained traction in one of the nation's poorest regions, accusing working-class voters in Johnson County of voting against themselves.

GOP Response

While the "Listening Tour" aims to foster dialogue, tangible results remain elusive. Both Elridge and Nicholas Hazelett, the Johnson County Democratic chair who is also a college student and Paintsville City Council member, acknowledged that the voter turnout was skewed Democratic-friendly. There were few locals waiting to be convinced.

Across the street, antiques shop owner Michelle Hackworth expressed indifference to the event, claiming ignorance, and remained steadfast in her support of the Republican Party. When asked if she would consider attending, Hackworth replied dismissively, stating that Democrats "wouldn't convince me of anything."

In an interview with a local journalist, Bill Mike Runyon, Paintsville's conservative Republican mayor who adores Trump, offered his perspective on the local political landscape. Runyon criticized Democrats for moving too far left, pointing to their perceived emphasis on transgender issues. He also claimed that Democrats were stoking racial tension, citing progressive movement figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett as examples.

Bipartisan Praise for Beshear

Andy Beshear, Kentucky's Democratic governor, seems to be the exception to the polarization that afflicts national politics. Residents in and around Paintsville lauded Beshear for his support of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights and his ability to garner support beyond Democratic strongholds in Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort. Although Beshear lost Johnson County, he secured 37% of the vote, and made inroads in nearby counties.

Multiple Republicans, including Mayor Runyon, praised Beshear for his handling of floods and other disasters in the region. Beshear is generating buzz as a vice presidential running mate for Kamala Harris and remains the Democrats' preferred candidate for the 2026 Senate race made vacant by Mitch McConnell's retirement. While Beshear has denied he will run for Senate, he has been increasing his media appearances and embarking on a podcast tour, fueling speculation about a future campaign for the 2028 presidential nomination.

1. The large Democratic gathering in Johnson County, a small Appalachian town, was part of the Kentucky Democratic Party's "Rural Listening Tour" to reconnect with traditionally Republican strongholds.
2. Democrats recognize the importance of regaining their footing in rural and small-town areas to secure victories in states like Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
3. Colmon Elridge, the Kentucky Democratic chair, acknowledged the party's past neglect of rural America and expressed the need for one-on-one conversations.
4. In the 2020 presidential election, Trump received 60% of small-town and rural voters, a significant decline from when Democrat Bill Clinton won pluralities in Johnson County and Kentucky's electoral votes.
5. The goal for Democrats is to consistently reduce Republican margins in these precincts without necessarily securing a majority.
6. At the town hall, attendees expressed outrage over conservative policies, lamented Trump's influence, and determined to offer rural communities an alternative.
7. Retired teacher Sandra Music criticized private school tuition voucher programs and the threat they pose to public education.
8. Stumbo denounced the conservative shift in the courts, warning of long-term damage if this trend persists.
9. Healthcare IT worker Michael Halfhill was bewildered that Trump had gained traction in one of the nation's poorest regions and accused working-class voters of voting against themselves.
10. Across the street from the event, antiques shop owner Michelle Hackworth expressed indifference and remained steadfast in her support of the Republican Party.
11. Paintsville's conservative Republican mayor, Bill Mike Runyon, criticized Democrats for moving too far left and stoking racial tension.
12. Andy Beshear, Kentucky's Democratic governor, is viewed as an exception to the polarization in national politics, receiving praise from both Democrats and Republicans for his disaster response and support of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
13. Regardless of their political affiliations, residents admired Beshear's ability to garner support beyond Democratic strongholds in Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort.
14. The issue of education was prevalent in discussions during the "Rural Listening Tour," including the need for online education and lifelong learning resources.
15. Among the discussions about policy and legislation, there was a mention of the importance of productivity and career development for individuals and communities.
16. The topic of learning, goal-setting, and personal growth was also an essential aspect of the "Rural Listening Tour," with skills training and mindfulness being emphasized.
17. War and conflicts was another issue that resurfaced in the conversations, with some expressing concern over the potential impacts of political disagreements on domestic peace and stability.
18. In the realm of healthcare, concerns about Covid-19 and access to affordable, quality care were raised, highlighting the need for policy changes in this area.
19. While discussions about job search strategies and general news were not explicitly mentioned, it's clear that these topics were integral to the overall objectives of the "Rural Listening Tour." The event aimed to explore a range of issues affecting rural America, including politics, education, health care, sports, crime, and justice.

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