Staff Reports
The recent presidential election has unveiled an unexpected red wave that swept across the country’s traditional blue bastions. President-elect Donald Trump achieved a stunning victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, cutting significantly into Democratic margins in areas where Republicans historically struggle. It appears that a perfect storm brewed for the Democrats, consisting of a lackluster Harris turnout, combined with the changing dynamics of Republican demographics, especially among Latino and Asian voters.
A particular highlight was Trump’s remarkable improvement with Latino voters—a demographic in which he previously faced criticism. In the span of four years, support among Latinos surged from 32% to 45%. Breaking it down further, Latino men showcased a jaw-dropping bump, going from 36% support in 2020 to a commanding 54% in 2024. This significant shift wasn’t just a fluke; it pointed to a broader sentiment, with Asian voter support rising from 34% to 38%, signaling that the Democrats might want to rethink their strategy in these communities.
In New York, the results were puzzling for the Democrats. Trump reduced the gap with Harris to just 11 points. This was a striking improvement from his losses to Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, which each saw him trailing by over 20 points. The shift of 10 points to the right marked the best Republican performance in the Empire State since 1988. Trump secured some counties that had been strongholds for Democratic candidates in previous elections, such as Nassau and Rockland counties—a sign that even the bluest regions are starting to show the indicators of a shifting political landscape.
Trump cuts into Democrats stranglehold over New York, loses by just 11%.https://t.co/i9N2etvnI1
— Mixed Texan Report (@MixedTexan) November 7, 2024
New York City wasn’t immune from this political recalibration. Trump’s gains were particularly evident in traditionally Democrat-friendly boroughs like Queens, where Harris’s winning margin was halved compared to Biden’s performance in 2020. This shift highlights not just a change in voter sentiment but an increasing attraction to Trump’s message among immigrant communities. His outreach efforts included various visits to areas within the Bronx and Queens, presumably leading to an increase in previously absent voters at the polls.
The changes were not confined to New York; New Jersey also experienced a similar trend. Trump’s loss was reduced to just five points, with notable numbers coming from Bergen County, where he was only four points behind Harris—an impressive feat compared to previous elections. Other populous counties such as Monmouth and Middlesex added to the narrative of Republican resurgence. Even in Hudson County, traditionally a Democratic fortress, Trump gained support while Harris notably lost her margin by 18 points from Biden’s last election—another telling statistic signaling dissatisfaction among the Hispanic and working-class populations.
The Democrats have taken these results as a wake-up call. The grim analysis suggests they may need to reevaluate their approach and consider whether this election was an anomaly or part of a more pervasive trend that threatens their standing in multiple urban areas. While they’d love to dismiss this as just a close call, the numbers indicate a bigger picture of discontent that could have implications well beyond the latest election. The shifting demographics showcase how critical it is for Democrats to address the needs and concerns of all voters, instead of pigeonholing them into predictable lanes.
