BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Since the sinking of the Titanic more than 100 years ago, one Pennsylvania county has voted for the ultimate winner of the US presidential election all but three times.
Northampton County’s political pulse has predicted 25 of the last 28 elections – since Woodrow Wilson’s victory in 1912, when he defeated Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.
Northampton’s only misses were Richard Nixon in 1968 and George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.
Located on the eastern edge of the Keystone State and about the same size as New York City and Philadelphia, Northampton County and neighboring Lehigh County make up the Greater Lehigh Valley, the third largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania. The “Valley” is home to three cities in the post-industrial upswing – Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton – and is dotted with rural and suburban municipalities.
Speaking to The Post just two months before the showdown between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, voters from The Valley revealed their thoughts on the race that their district will help decide this November.
Denise Marshall, 72, Nazareth
A lifelong Northampton County resident who spent 35 years teaching high school, Denise has made her home in Nazareth Borough (pop. 6,000) for the past 13 years. She now works part-time for Weight Watchers and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
Denise said she has been a Republican since she first registered to vote and describes herself as a strong conservative, whose views are based on the need to make what she calls “slow, logical change” and support a strong national defense.
“Pro-Republicans are making sure that other people know that we are a strong country, that we have power, and that we are not afraid to use that power when needed,” he told The Post, noting that foreign leaders are “skeptical” of challenging America. during Trump’s term.
Denise believes that Trump’s handling of economic issues and his ability to follow through on promises are his greatest strengths, while speaking casually and sounding “cringey” are potential weaknesses.
“I think (Trump) needs to be more careful, to concentrate more on what he and his administration can do to help America, rather than what the opposition will do to destroy us,” Denise said.
While she didn’t find Harris credible, Denise was impressed by his campaign ads and believed the veep who was nearly two decades younger than Trump could be an ace in the hole.
“Age is definitely something that can be done in the next four years,” he told The Post. “I think they appeal to younger voters, women voters for sure.”
George Ziegler, 60, Bethlehem
Also an educator, George has spent 25 years in the public school system, including time as a high school English teacher. The father of two grown sons, he now works as a literacy coach.
As a self-described strong liberal who has voted consistently for Democrats, George said he is most focused on gun safety and public school funding — issues he says Harris will address more than Trump.
“Kamala Harris has consistently supported investment in public education, advocating for higher teacher pay and better resources for schools,” George told The Post.
“On gun safety, he has pushed for stronger gun control measures, including universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons, which I believe is a critical step to reduce gun violence in schools and communities,” he added.
George believes the Trump administration’s education policies are unfair to private schools, and that he has not taken significant action on the gun issue.
“(Trump’s) administration … shows little urgency in addressing gun violence, focusing more on arming teachers than on implementing common-sense gun safety laws that could prevent tragedies,” he said.
As a Northampton County voter, George said he felt a “strong responsibility” because of the “significant weight” the ballot will carry nationally.
“There’s an increased sense of importance knowing that my vote can help determine the outcome in a country that often changes entire elections,” George said.
Eric Zwick, 72, Lower Macungie Township
Eric is a real estate investor who has lived in Pennsylvania for 28 years since moving from New Jersey. He consistently voted for Democrats until the Bill Clinton era, but told The Post that since the turn of the century, he has been dissatisfied with Democrats. Disaffected by the so-called “welfare state party,” Eric became a Republican.
“Kamala’s position is (to) bring in more people, or get the welfare of the people to support the Democratic Party,” Eric said of Harris’ record on illegal immigration.
Eric said the record inflation seen during the Biden-Harris years has forced him to increase the cost of living for renters.
“I felt guilty when I raised the rent (by) $50 a month,” he told The Post. “I’m looking for a more stable economic policy, and I think Trump has it.”
Although he describes himself as a conservative, Eric believes that some Republicans are “just over the top” on issues like abortion.
“States with Republicans are going ‘no abortion at all costs,'” Eric said of the post-Roe GOP. “There is no abortion for rape, there is no abortion for incest, and I do not agree with that.”
While he will be voting in Lehigh County that leans blue, Eric still feels the pressure to get it right.
“I feel, now more than ever, that every voice in this area really matters,” he said.
Sheri Curtin, 59, Bethlehem
A clinical research consultant to the pharmaceutical industry, Sheri said a moderate view of the issue “will not please either party.”
Sheri told The Post that she is concerned about drug and crime issues, as well as women’s reproductive rights.
“You don’t give these drug addicts clean work and say ‘have at it,’ you ask them to go to the rehab program,” Sheri said of the Democrats’ “safe haven” approach to the drug problem. “And if you have to do it through the prison system, then do it.”
Sheri also criticized Harris’ time as a liberal California prosecutor, telling The Post that “Kamala’s prosecution record doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzy feeling that she’s going to suffer the criminals who destroy our society.”
But like other voters, Sheri strongly criticized the Republican stance on abortion, citing Trump’s decision to nominate a Supreme Court justice who overturned Roe v. Wade is a “huge bonehead mover.”
“From a medical background … a woman’s right to protect life or spare an unfair and miserable existence for a child who probably won’t live is unfair,” Sheri said.
“You force a situation on people, and they may not be the ones who can live comfortably,” he added.
Asked about the impact she would have as a Northampton County voter, Sheri simply replied: “If you don’t vote, don’t be a dog!”
MT, 23, Bethlehem
An electrical engineer by trade, MT spoke to The Post anonymously as he is a government employee with security clearance. For him, this election will come down to the economy, immigration and abortion. Her Catholic faith and desire to have several children are important factors in shaping the way she views the issue, and her most important decision at the ballot box this November.
“The cost of living is just too high for a new college graduate to start and build and save for things like starting a family and having kids,” MT told The Post, noting that many graduates like him are saddled with student loans. “We as a country need children and it should be something we promote more.”
MT disputed Harris’ strong pro-choice stance, calling YouTube ads on the topic “morally disturbing.”
“I think you can’t kill an unborn child just because you don’t know what their potential is,” he said. “He could be the next Albert Einstein or Tom Brady and have the potential to impact other people’s lives in a positive way.”
However, MT is not a fan of Trump because of his role in the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. Although he voted for Trump in 2020, he has promised not to support him this year.
“If Trump loses this election, I’m not sure that radical MAGA Republicans will accept a Harris victory, and it could increase political polarization to a potentially dangerous level,” he said.
Third-party voter numbers have been declining this cycle since Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“If Nikki Haley is on the ticket, it will be the easiest decision I will ever make on the ballot,” MT told The Post, adding that he thought it was too much of a “waste” vote to write her in. “But unfortunately, he didn’t.
Asked if anything would make him consider voting Democratic, MT said he would have to see Harris replaced at the top of the ticket with a more moderate candidate like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
