Staff Reports
Robeson County, North Carolina, home to the Lumbee tribe, is emerging as a shining example of how minority communities can reject the hollow promises of the Democratic Party in favor of real solutions. As the political landscape shifts, a remarkable trend is evident: Native Americans, including the Lumbee, are voting in unprecedented numbers for Republicans, particularly Donald Trump. The numbers don’t lie; recent exit polls reveal that 65 percent of Native Americans backed Trump in 2024, surpassing support from other demographic groups like whites, blacks, and Hispanics.
Historically, the Lumbee tribe has weathered a turbulent political storm, swinging back and forth between parties. For decades, Robeson County voters leaned Democratic, but a seismic shift occurred in the 2016 election when Trump squeaked past the Democratic candidate. In 2020, Trump’s popularity surged further, capturing 57 percent of the vote, and by 2024, that number rose to an impressive 63.4 percent. This mass exodus from the Democratic fold shows that Native Americans are not just recognizing empty party rhetoric; they are actively seeking better governance and economic opportunity.
The reasons for this shift are multifaceted but are rooted in the dire economic reality facing Native American communities. Bidenomics has dealt a devastating blow to these areas, with over 25 percent of Native Americans living below the poverty line and experiencing unemployment rates that far exceed the national average. The economic pain is compounded by the burden of inflation, which hinders the tribe’s ability to thrive. While residents struggle to keep their heads above water, much-needed resources are channeled elsewhere, leaving Native communities perplexed as they watch their tax dollars supposedly support illegal immigration to the detriment of their own economic prospects.
Not only are economic concerns driving the Lumbee’s turn toward the Republican Party, but there are also additional frustrations tied to federal oversight and tribal sovereignty. Democrats have crafted policies that restrict Native Americans’ rights to exploit their natural resources, significantly stalling economic self-sufficiency. High-value resources remain untapped due to regulatory red tape, and tribes find themselves stymied by environmental regulations that overlook their unique rights to develop their own lands and create jobs. The paradox lies in the government allowing foreign energy exploitation while constraining tribal initiatives – a situation that only fuels resentment and a desire for independence.
Fantastic deep dive into the economic, environmental and historical forces behind some of the Native American vote for Trump by @jenvanlaar @RedState https://t.co/VBHIn9gUit
— Patrice Lee Onwuka 🇫🇰🇺🇸 (@PatricePinkFile) November 12, 2024
Compounding the issue is the long-standing struggle for federal recognition. The Lumbee have faced barriers since the 1950s, with larger tribes often preventing their acknowledgment to protect their resource allocations. Trump recognized this issue during his campaign, pledging to grant the Lumbee the federal recognition they have long sought. This clear commitment resonates among the Lumbee, promising increased economic opportunities and fairness in federal dealings that Democrats have long taken for granted.
The startling electoral gains made by Republicans in Robeson County illustrate a broader trend among minority voters who are waking up to the reality behind the Democratic façade. Despite prevailing narratives about minority allegiance to the left, data tells a different story, one where economic sense and self-determination trump empty promises. Republicans have a golden opportunity to build on this momentum and prove they can deliver real solutions and a brighter future for all minority communities, starting with the Lumbee tribe in North Carolina.
