YORK/LANCASTER/NEWBURGH/BUTLER, Pa. – Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is emerging as the most pivotal swing state in the 2024 election for both major candidates.
In the 2016 election, Pennsylvania, along with the rest of the Rust Belt, voted in favor of former President Donald Trump, contributing to his sweeping Electoral College victory. However, in 2020, the state swung towards President Joe Biden.
Pennsylvania holds the highest number of electoral votes among all swing states, with the next closest being North Carolina and Georgia, each with 16 electoral votes.
The Epoch Times interviewed various voters in the Keystone State, spanning across eastern and southern Pennsylvania as well as the outskirts of Philadelphia, to gauge their opinions and perspectives. Here’s what they had to say:
Several Pennsylvanians expressed frustration with the current election and the broader two-party system.
Susan Diehl, an employee at a gas station in Newburg, voiced her disillusionment with politics: “Why can’t they just tell the truth about whatever they’re going to do or not do? I always feel that politicians, all of them, lie just to get elected.”
The Epoch Times discovered a mixture of support for both candidates.
Several independent voters expressed their dissatisfaction with Trump and his communication style, which they perceived as overly abrasive.
Many individuals stated that they were still undecided and expressed discontent with both candidates.
Dave Brueggeman, a 60-year-old Army veteran from York, has not yet made a decision. Although he describes himself as a Democrat, he shares, “I’m not sure about Trump, I’m just not sure. I haven’t really made up my mind yet completely.” Brueggeman disclosed his hope for Social Security reforms from both candidates.
Lawrence Clark, a 52-year-old from Mt. Wolf, is also in the process of weighing his options. As a lifelong Democrat, Clark believes Trump is more qualified than Harris and expresses his satisfaction with Trump’s criminal justice reforms.
Marco Ceo, a 45-year-old from eastern Pennsylvania, leans toward voting for Harris due to his dislike for Trump’s demeanor. However, Ceo acknowledges Trump’s advantage in executive experience.
Ceo admits his difficulty in deciding whom to vote for, citing campaign messaging targeting independents as repetitive and lacking respect for voters’ intelligence. He hopes the candidates address the issue of rising tuition costs.
Among those more open to Harris, some express resignation.
Zach Miller, a 43-year-old from Lancaster, primarily opposes Trump rather than having a strong preference for Harris.
Mikki Breitmos, a former labor union Democrat who now supports Trump, appreciates his business acumen and hopes for a more toned-down rhetoric with the influence of Melania Trump.
Michael Nicolazzo, a 92-year-old Korean War veteran, voted for Trump in 2016 and expects assistance with his pension issues. He believes Trump has a genuine appreciation for veterans.
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