BILLBOARD News Now
Rural Voters Count
As political parties and candidates prepare for the 2026 & 2028 elections rural voters are the center of attention. They play an outsize role in who will control the next Congress and who is elected the 48th President…let alone keep our system of government.
In the way the American electoral system is structured, there’s an outsized voice for less populated places. Every state gets two senators, regardless of population. The electoral college process does favor rural states, and one must remember the Republican party dominates rural places in our nation.
During the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Democratic party became the home of the common person and the workingman. All was well near the end of the 20th century when a rural-urban divide took place. Urban areas became the driver of the country’s economy and the home for Democratic voters for many years. Rural voters moved to the Republican party.
For example, in the 2000 presidential campaign Governor George W. Bush came across as a rural American. Rural West Virginia voted 51.92% for Bush and 45.59% for Vice President Al Gore. The first time in over 70 years a non-incumbent presidential candidate won the state.
It didn’t take long until rural voters returned to Democratic candidates. In 2008 voters were concerned about the financial crisis (economy) and foreign policy. This opened the door for President Barack Obama to make major inroads with rural voters. Today voters are worried about the militant strategy employed by Trump/ICE which will open rural inroads in both the 2026 & 2028 elections.
In a new book addressing “Rural versus Urban” it is noted there is an organizational imbalance where the Republican Party is aided by conservative organizations at the grassroots – right-to -life organization and the National Rifle Association. The Democratic party is gaining strong outside support…brought on by the ICE invasion of rural Minnesota and elsewhere.
There is a unique opening to win the fight for rural voters due to all that’s happening with the Trump administration.
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