Trump blue states gains/ New Jersey Passaic County flips red/ Hawaii Republican wins 2024/ Trump suburban voters/ 2024 election analysis/ Newslooks/ TOTOWA/ N.J./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump’s 2024 victory revealed unexpected gains in Democratic strongholds, including New Jersey, New York, and Hawaii. Fueled by economic concerns, immigration issues, and dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership, Trump made notable inroads among Black and Latino men, younger voters, and nonwhite Americans without college degrees. His performance in traditionally liberal regions like Passaic County, N.J., and West Oahu, Hawaii, signals shifting political dynamics nationwide.
Trump’s Surprising Gains in Blue States: Quick Looks
- Key States: Trump saw unexpected success in places like New Jersey, New York City, and Hawaii.
- Economic Concerns: Inflation, housing costs, and immigration drove voters to support Trump.
- Demographic Shifts: Trump gained among nonwhite voters, particularly men without college degrees.
- Local Context: Hawaii Republicans saw historic wins, while Passaic County, N.J., flipped red for the first time in decades.
- Democratic Response: Some Democrats warn of complacency, calling for a stronger connection with working-class voters.
From Suburban New Jersey to Hawaii, Trump Broadens Appeal in Blue States
Deep Look
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in 2024 reshaped the U.S. political map, making inroads in historically Democratic bastions like New Jersey, New York, and Hawaii. His victory underscored growing voter dissatisfaction with the economy, immigration policies, and Democratic leadership, particularly in regions long considered liberal strongholds.
Economic Frustration Drives Voter Shifts
In New Jersey’s Passaic County, a Democratic stronghold near New York City, Trump flipped the county red for the first time in over three decades. Voters cited soaring grocery bills, gas prices, and housing costs as key reasons for their shift.
Maria Russo, a single mother working as a bartender in Totowa, N.J., shared her perspective:
“Anybody can see what’s going on. The prices of everything. I notice it when I go shopping, just like everybody else does,” she said.
AP VoteCast, a comprehensive survey of more than 120,000 voters, highlighted Trump’s success among nonwhite suburban voters, younger women, and non-college-educated men in blue states.
Hawaii Sees Historic Republican Wins
In Hawaii, a state dominated by Democrats for decades, Republicans made unprecedented gains. GOP candidates captured nine seats in the state House and three in the Senate—the party’s strongest showing since 2004.
Julie Reyes Oda, a schoolteacher, flipped a state House district in Ewa Beach, while state Sen. Samantha DeCorte emphasized the public’s frustration with crime and lack of resources for basic needs.
“People don’t want to go to the grocery store at night because they have to walk back to their car in the parking lot,” DeCorte said.
Hawaii’s economic struggles, including a median home cost exceeding $1.1 million, have pushed many residents to relocate to the mainland, further fueling Republican gains.
New York’s Working-Class Shift
Even in Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s New York City district, Trump gained traction. Nonwhite men without college degrees, a traditionally Democratic bloc, shifted toward Trump. While a majority of this group still supported Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s progress was notable.
Ramon Ramirez-Baez, a 66-year-old community activist in Queens and a registered Democrat, voted for Trump for the first time:
“The current trajectory of the United States these last four years has obviously been downhill. For everybody, it’s been harder to live,” he said.
Immigration and Security Concerns
In both urban and suburban areas, immigration played a central role in Trump’s appeal. Ramirez-Baez blamed the Biden administration’s policies for an increase in illegal brothels and food carts in his neighborhood, which he saw as symptoms of broader government failures.
Trump’s tough rhetoric on immigration resonated in swing states like Michigan, where many Muslim voters expressed discontent with the administration’s stance on the Gaza conflict. Some, like Selaedin Maksut of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in New Jersey, cast protest votes for third-party candidates.
“We’re not going to just give you our vote,” Maksut said.
Lessons for Democrats
Trump’s performance in blue states has sparked calls for introspection among Democrats. Former New Jersey state legislator Ralph Caputo warned against complacency:
“Those days are over where you just put somebody up for election and think they’re going to win because they’re on a Democratic ballot,” he said.
Rep. Andy Kim, who won a Senate race in New Jersey’s Passaic County, attributed his success to focusing on local issues and connecting with voters frustrated by “broken politics.”
Ocasio-Cortez also sought feedback from split-ticket voters, engaging directly with constituents who backed both her and Trump.
What’s Next?
Trump’s ability to connect with working-class voters in traditionally Democratic areas could signal a broader realignment in American politics. His focus on economic issues and immigration, combined with gains among nonwhite and younger voters, poses a challenge for Democrats as they prepare for the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential race.
As Trump capitalizes on dissatisfaction in blue states, Democrats must decide how to address the concerns of an increasingly disillusioned electorate.
