EASTON, Pa. (CBS) — The road to the White House in 2024 will likely be runs through Pennsylvania. As Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump jockey for votes in seven key swing states, Pennsylvania’s 19 electors to stand out.
Everyone wants to know which way the state is headed in November. One place might have some answers: Northampton County.
“I’m not a political pundit, but history is what it is,” said Lamont McClure, a Northampton County administrator. “And we usually call it the right name around here.”
Northampton County certainly has history on its side. In 2016, Northampton County voted for Trump after backing former President Barack Obama twice, just as the state did. Pennsylvania voted blue again for President Biden four years laterlike Northampton County. The county has matched the state’s presidential candidate in every election since 1948, when Northampton County went for Democrat Harry Truman while the state went for Republican Thomas Dewey.
Truman would go on to win that 1948 election, proving that Northampton County is pretty good at electing presidents, too. The state has voted for the person who ultimately won the presidency in every election except three since 1920.
County officials say that with the spotlight on Pennsylvania in the final days of the 2024 election, it is getting quite the reputation.
“We have teams from China and Europe who want to come here and interview us about our processes as if this is a magic 8-ball or the bottom of a teacup to read the leaves,” McClure said. “It’s not.”
McClure, on the other hand, says Northampton County is more reflective of the state itself. Registration for a party is very divided, with McClure saying Democrats have a slight advantage. The county has urban areas like Bethlehem and Easton and more rural areas to the north.
“Above [Route] “22 is pretty much ruby red in Northampton County. And along 22, it gets lighter blue. And then down there, especially in the city of Bethlehem, it gets dark blue,” McClure said. “We’re very purple, and Pennsylvania is very purple. So our demographics are very similar to the demographics of the rest of the state of Pennsylvania. So, generally speaking, the way we vote is the way the rest of the state is generally going to turn out.”
Political analysts know how important this area is to winning Pennsylvania and they will be watching it closely.
“A lot of the action is going to be here, including in the Lehigh Valley,” said CBS News Elections and Investigations Director Anthony Salvanto, referring to a swath of southeastern and mideastern Pennsylvania, from Northampton County to Philadelphia.
Which begs the question: What do Northampton County voters think about the 2024 White House race? We caught up with them in downtown Easton Tuesday afternoon to find out.
“It’s definitely a tough decision,” said Cristian Duarte, a small business owner from Bethlehem Township.
“I’m a ball of fear,” said Nick Loessy, a Harris supporter from Easton.
“I’m really confused,” said Melissa Mazgajewski of Walnutport.
Some voters we spoke to on Tuesday say they’ve been determined for a while.
Loessy is endorsing Harris and says he would vote for anyone but Trump. John McCann of Easton said he is supporting the former president because he believes he is “the most qualified” for the job.
But most of the people we spoke to around Centre Square were still undecided.
“What [Trump] did in his term to really stimulate the economy,” Duarte said. “And then you hear all this craziness. So it takes you in a different direction.”
“Kamala had the chance to change things over the last four years, and she didn’t,” Mazgajewski said. “Trump had the chance to promote himself better, and he didn’t. So it’s like, who do you choose?”
“I don’t really think any of the candidates we’ve had so far are great. I don’t know, they don’t really do anything for my needs,” said Nick Chun of Easton.
But all of the undecided voters we spoke to on Tuesday say they plan to vote in November.
The economy was top of mind for Easton voters, with several saying they are looking for a candidate who can make life more affordable. Reproductive rights was another issue that came up.
In 2020, there was a neck-and-neck race between President Biden and Trump in Pennsylvania, which also extended into Northampton County. Biden won the key area by just over 1,200 votes.
Voters say they expect more of the same this time around. With 42 days to decide, many tell us it will likely be a last-minute decision.
“I try to give both sides a chance to convince me or get me on their side,” said Jordan, of Easton.
“Yes, I am here. I can go either way,” Duarte said.
McClure, however, was the only one who refused to make a prediction. He said the election would only be fair and secure in Northampton County.
“Half of us aren’t going to like the outcome,” McClure said. “But as long as we all feel good about the process, I consider this a win for Northampton County.”
