Rural America's Lesson for Democrats: Listen to Rural Voices, Not Just Select a VP from the Region

Rural America's voting trends in the 2020 presidential election reveal a stark reality for the Democratic Party: picking a vice-presidential candidate from a rural background or state is not a guarantee of success. To connect with rural voters, Democrats must move beyond rhetoric and engage with the economic and social concerns of rural communities. A key takeaway from the election is the importance of crafting policies and messaging that resonate with rural people, rather than solely relying on a rural connection. By doing so, Democrats can begin to bridge the gap between urban and rural America.

Key Takeaways:

• A Democratic presidential campaign should have a policy plan for rural Americans prior to the start of early voting, as implemented by the Harris-Walz campaign on October 15.
• Engaging rural voters requires more than just a rural connection; Democrats must understand and address the economic and social issues affecting rural communities.
• The Democratic presidential nominee should use their time campaigning to discuss rural-specific issues, rather than delegating this task to the veep candidate or surrogates.
• Primaries are a valuable opportunity for Democrats to gauge how well their candidates connect with rural voters, particularly in early primary states with significant rural populations.
• Raising the minimum wage and eliminating the tipped wage, as seen in the success of the minimum wage results in deep-red Missouri, should be a top priority for the Democratic Party.
• Republicans' dominance in rural areas makes it increasingly difficult for Democrats to rely solely on suburban and urban votes to win elections.
• Democratic elites must actively engage with rural people, listening to their concerns and addressing the issues they face, rather than simply paying lip service.

Statistics:

• Nearly 60% of voters in rural counties in Missouri voted in favor of increasing the minimum wage, reflecting the popularity of this policy among working-class Americans.
• The lengthy primary process, particularly in early primary states with significant rural populations, could help candidates refine their messaging and connect with rural voters.
• In 2020, rural America voted decisively for President-elect Trump, making it increasingly challenging for Democrats to win elections by relying solely on urban and suburban votes.
• The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of over 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally.

Sources:

• Barn Raiser
• On the Ground news wire, a service provided by the Institute for Nonprofit News
• https://inn.org/
• https://barnraisingmedia.com/rural-america-donald-trump-kamala-harris-2024/