Former registered Democrats in Pennsylvania who support former President Donald Trump predict a wave of traditional Democrat voters pulling the ballot box lever for the Republican ticket over Vice President Kamala Harris in the key battleground state this year. Residents of Lackawanna County, traditionally a blue county, are now leaning towards Trump, indicating a potential shift in voter support. These formerly registered Democrats, such as Susanne Green, who previously worked for Planned Parenthood, and Vince Sardo, a retired firefighter and union boss, anticipate that many of their left-leaning neighbors and friends will quietly vote for Trump without changing their political affiliation. This trend indicates a significant shift in voter sentiment as Pennsylvania remains a key battleground state in upcoming elections.
Voter registration data in Pennsylvania shows a notable shift favoring the GOP in the final stretch of the election cycle. While the Democratic Party still accounts for nearly 44% of registered voters compared to the GOP’s 40%, the advantage that Democrats previously held over Republicans has dwindled. In the 2020 election, President Biden won the state by a narrow margin, but this year, the GOP has seen a net gain in registered voters, while Democrats have faced a net loss. The data indicate that more previously registered Democrats have changed their party affiliation compared to Republicans, signaling a potential swing towards the Republican ticket in the upcoming election.
Former Democrats who now support Trump in Pennsylvania have deep ties to the Democratic Party but have shifted their allegiance due to perceived radicalization within the party. Susanne Green, who previously worked at Planned Parenthood, reevaluated her support for the Democratic Party after the 2016 election, citing issues such as collusion in debate questions and a leftward shift in the party’s platform. Vince Sardo, a longtime Democrat, also switched sides and voted for Trump in the 2020 election, citing concerns over COVID-19 mandates, trans issues, and morality within the party. These individuals represent a growing trend of former Democrats finding refuge in the Republican Party due to perceived shifts in policy and ideology.
David Kveragas, a registered Independent voter, was initially not a Trump supporter but changed his tune after witnessing the president’s policies in action. Trump’s economic policies, efforts towards peace, and foreign policy achievements, such as the Abraham Accords, shifted Kveragas’ perception of the president. He believes that Trump’s leadership has brought stability and prosperity to the country, a sentiment shared by many former Democrats who now support Trump. The trio of former Democrats who now support Trump all noted a radical shift in the Democratic Party towards the left, leading them to align with the Republican Party in the upcoming election.
As Pennsylvania remains a crucial battleground state, the shift in voter sentiment among former Democrats towards the GOP indicates a potential swing in the upcoming election. While traditional Democrat voters may quietly support Trump without changing their political affiliation, the data show a significant shift in favor of the GOP. Former Democrats in Pennsylvania who now support Trump cite concerns over radicalization within the Democratic Party, policy differences, and the president’s achievements in office as reasons for their change in allegiance. This trend highlights a changing political landscape in Pennsylvania and reflects a broader shift in voter sentiment across the country.
