In a massive political shift Luzerne County has turned from blue to red, with numbers revealing voter registration among Republicans outran Democrats with 87,415 registered GOP compared to 87,332 from the left, with just six weeks before Election Day. This 83-vote advantage underscores a trend that has been building for nearly a decade, according to Luzerne County GOP Chairman Gene Ziemba.
“We are successful because the Republican message is getting out,” Ziemba stated. “That message is we are the party of the people.” This declaration reflects a broader sentiment among voters who feel increasingly disenfranchised by the Democratic Party’s shifting priorities.
Historically, Luzerne County was a Democratic stronghold, trailing by over 33,000 registered voters in 2016 and nearly 19,000 in 2020. However, former President Donald Trump won the county in both elections, demonstrating a growing discontent with liberal policies. Ziemba expressed confidence, stating, “We’re not gonna just win, we’re gonna smoke ’em,” as the GOP gears up for November.
The county, once a hub for coal mining and manufacturing, is now revitalizing with a booming warehousing sector. Luzerne’s recent shift follows Bucks County’s transition to red earlier this year, highlighting a wider pattern across Pennsylvania’s battlegrounds.
Republican congressional candidate Rob Bresnahan attributed the rightward shift to the Democrats’ embrace of “open borders and crippling economic policies.” He emphasized that voters in northeastern Pennsylvania are tired of being taken for granted by a party that has strayed far from its historical roots.
Despite the momentum, Democratic leaders remain hopeful. Luzerne County Democratic Chairman Thomas Shubilla acknowledged the shift as a “symbolic victory” but insists that the battle isn’t over. He predicts that split-ticket voting could play a significant role, as seen in recent elections where local Democrats won while statewide candidates struggled.
