Nearly 20 years ago, Democrats won a sizable chunk of rural Americans in their coalition that helped Barack Obama win big in his first presidential election in 2008. However, the relationship between rural voters and Democrats has soured in the Trump era, with many embracing MAGA … only to find nothing but empty promises from Donald Trump’s “America First” messaging.
Matt Hildreth, executive director with Rural Organizing, believes that now is the time for Democrats to rebuild that bridge to rural America. He spoke with Susan J. Demas and laid out how the “No Kings” rallies and chapters of Indivisible groups popping up in rural areas are a positive indicator for Democrats going into the midterms.
He also explains how Democrats can just keep it simple and embrace community organizing and put together watch parties to rebuild their coalition.
“We are having really good results with the grassroots kind of taking over. And so I think what’s happening is there is a new willingness among Democrats to be visible in their communities,” says Hildreth.
Find out more about why the window’s open for Democrats to connect with rural America with Rural Organizing’s Matt Hildreth and Susan J. Demas, right here on Lincoln Square.
