Democrats in Illinois Trump Country

Illinois is a reliably blue state. Democrats have won the Land of Lincoln in every presidential election since 1992. But there is a lot of red. In 2016, most counties actually went to Trump. While the more populated places like Chicago, Rockford and Peoria went to the then Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton along with some college towns, like Urbana-Champaign, home to the state’s largest university.

The 21st is joined by a panel of guests to talk more about their reactions to the Democratic National Convention and what it is like to be a Democrat in Trump country. 

Guests:

Pam Davidson, Chair of the Knox County Dems and (17th District) Biden delegate

Courtney Young, Founder of the Young Democrats of Franklin County (Illinois) and law student, SIU School of Law

Nikita Richards, Chair of McLean County Dems

Dan Sidwell, Chair of the Bond County Dems

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

We asked our guests about the selection of Kamala Harris as Joe Biden's running mate. We also asked listeners in our “Text the 21st” group about this earlier this week. Here were some responses.

Joyce from Champaign told us: “She will liven things up. I like her. Maybe a bit too left but that's what legislature is for. To keep things within reason.”

Wendy from Rock City says: “I think it was a wise choice because Kamala has experience. Being a "Centrist" might balance the voting base to capture the middle of the road Reds?”

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