Staff Reports
In the Philadelphia suburb of Kennett Square, there’s a notable phenomenon of Delaware license plates invading the upscale shopping centers. This little town has become a hive for out-of-state visitors, and perhaps not surprisingly, they often hail from the home state of President Joe Biden. For a man who spent over three decades cozying up in the Senate, it seems fitting that Biden’s neighbors are eager to pop over just across the line for a bite or some retail therapy.
While it’s common for folks to cross state lines to escape higher prices or simply change the scenery—something familiar to those who have endured long commutes in the New York-New Jersey or Maryland-Virginia bubbles—Biden’s frequent visits to this corner of Pennsylvania could potentially shake things up in the looming 2024 election. It’s no secret that Pennsylvania has become the political football of the season, with both Biden’s likely successor, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump burning through cash and campaigning hard to secure the state’s precious electoral votes.
Washington Examiner: Biden’s real Pennsylvania edge that is now gone for Democrats https://t.co/ignkkVzd3Q
— Ian Hansen News 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenNews) October 11, 2024
Biden and his allies have invested plenty of time and effort into Chester County over the years—a strategic move that has paid dividends in the past. After all, it was this very area that swung heavily in favor of Biden in 2020, making it the golden goose of Pennsylvania’s vast electoral landscape. Despite his aspirations to be local royalty, Harris may discover it’s a tough act to follow. After Biden’s years of political charm offensive in Chester County, it will be challenging for her to emulate the rapport he has built with voters here.
The numbers are certainly revealing. Chester County boasts a median household income of around $104,000, making it a prime target for Democratic candidates who rely heavily on affluent, educated voters. The irony isn’t lost on anyone that while Delaware is a reliably blue state supporting the Democrats with minimal effort, Pennsylvania is as unpredictable as a cat on a hot tin roof. To pull ahead, Harris must not only fill Biden’s shoes but also tap into the area’s well-heeled constituents looking for a reason to show up at the polls.
However, history shows that Biden’s grip on Chester County has not translated seamlessly to his broader political influence in Pennsylvania. The numbers from his prior elections indicate that while he excels in this affluent enclave, other regions, particularly those once solidly Democratic, have begun leaning toward Trump. The Democrats’ reliance on urban strongholds is becoming a perilous proposition as turnout declines. If Harris is banking on a repeat of Biden’s success without understanding the shifting dynamics across the state, she could find herself on the losing side once again.
In a tight race that’s expected to come down to the wire, each corner of Pennsylvania will play a crucial role in determining the ultimate victor. Biden, who has charmingly dubbed himself the “third senator from Pennsylvania,” may have carved out a cozy political niche in Chester County. Still, Kamala Harris is tasked with the almost Herculean challenge of filling that void while simultaneously managing the discontent bubbling just outside those tree-lined suburbs. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and as they say, nothing in politics is guaranteed, not even for the seasoned veteran from Delaware.
