Trump’s big tent: President-elect improved on 2020 performance in 4 counties with big minority populations
In the 2024 presidential campaign, public opinion polls indicated that President-elect Trump had strong support from minority voters, a trend that was confirmed by the election results. Trump was able to secure the national popular vote, a remarkable achievement for a Republican candidate in two decades. The key to his success lay in his ability to appeal to constituencies traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party.
Trump’s outreach to Black and Latino voters was a significant factor in his victory. Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell noted that Trump’s direct engagement with these communities played a crucial role in winning their support. Unlike past Republican candidates, Trump actively campaigned in areas outside the party’s traditional strongholds, resulting in substantial gains with minority voters.
Several counties stood out for their decisive shift towards Trump in the 2024 election. Passaic County in New Jersey, where Hispanics make up 45% of the population, saw Trump improve his performance by nine percentage points compared to 2020. Similarly, Starr County in Texas, with a 97% Hispanic population, flipped to Trump for the first time in over a century. Osceola County in Florida, where Latino voters make up 56% of the population, also swung towards Trump, with many citing his focus on economic issues as a key factor in their decision.
Trump’s appeal extended beyond just Hispanic voters, as he made significant gains with Black voters as well. In Anson County, North Carolina, where Black residents account for 47% of the population, Trump won for the first time in decades. His ability to connect with a diverse range of voters, including Hispanic men, Black men, and young voters, helped propel him to victory in key battleground counties across the country.
Overall, Trump’s success in appealing to minority voters has reshaped the political landscape, with Republicans now positioned to compete for traditionally Democratic constituencies. With significant gains in over 2,000 counties nationwide, Trump’s victory has solidified the GOP’s hold on power in the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
The 2024 election results demonstrate the evolving dynamics of American politics and the changing preferences of voters across the country. Trump’s ability to broaden the Republican Party’s appeal to a more diverse electorate marks a significant shift in the political landscape, with implications that are likely to shape future elections for years to come.
