Expectation and Nervousness in Trump's Hometown

I expect to win. Kevin Neal, chairman of the Republicans' local branch in Donald Trump's hometown Palm Beach, is optimistic ahead of the upcoming presidential election. At the Democrats' office, the mood is nervous but hopeful.

» Published: November 05 2024

Expectation and Nervousness in Trump's Hometown
Photo: Lynne Sladky/AP/TT

Among rustling palms and white houses, construction workers and black cars hurry. Feverish activity is underway at the congress center in West Palm Beach, Florida. This is where the Republicans' Donald Trump will hold his election watch, just a short drive from the presidential candidate's residence Mar-a-Lago.

The event marks the end of months of intense campaigning. Neal's party colleagues have announced on social media, sent emails, arranged phone campaigns, and urged early voting.

Palm Beach County has long been Democratic, but that's changing. We want the president's hometown to be Republican red, he says.

"Great visionary"

Real estate developer Neal, who has received a coveted ticket to Trump's party, says the mood in the party is expectant. He describes the former president as an inspiration to many locally.

He is a visionary and good at implementing his plans. Many politicians don't live up to their promises, but he does.

That Trump has fired insults at opponent Kamala Harris and several ethnic groups in recent weeks, Neal dismisses as "personal style".

I don't care, I look at the results. He can fix the economy, inflation, and the southern border. That's what people worry about.

A few miles south, at the Democrats' local party office, the lamp is burning late the night before the election. Volunteers are on the phone, and voters are picking up Harris signs and other campaign materials.

I'm so nervous. It's nice that it's almost over, laughs pensioner Elise Spreiser, who has been volunteering for the campaign for over a month.

I had to do something. I feel strongly about the issues, especially abortion rights. And I actually think Trump hates women and wants to be a dictator.

Taken hostage

Her dislike of Trump is shared by attorney and voter Jerry Zaro, who also lives in Palm Beach. But Zaro doesn't like Harris either.

Both parties have been taken hostage by extreme forces. The large majority of Americans in the middle, like me, don't feel at home anywhere, he says.

Zaro has worked in local politics in his former home state of New Jersey and says that what he is most proud of is that he worked across party lines. He hopes that future politicians will do the same.

Now I just want the next four years to pass quickly, so that the next president doesn't get to do too much harm. I've voted, but for me, it was about choosing the least dangerous.

Florida is a peninsula at the southernmost tip of the US East Coast, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west. The capital is Tallahassee, and Miami is the largest metropolitan area.

The state is the third most populous in the US, with over 22.5 million inhabitants. Many people of Latin American origin live here – more than a quarter are classified as Spanish-speaking Hispanics.

Florida has 30 electoral votes. The state was long seen as a swing state but has become increasingly conservative in recent years. Now, residents vote reliably Republican red.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Russian Envoy Sees Positive Shift
1 MIN READ

Russian Envoy Sees Positive Shift in US Relations After Washington Talks

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Strikes Kill 3, Injure Dozens in Ukraine

Israel Updates Music Festival Death
2 MIN READ

Israel Updates Music Festival Death Toll to 378 After Investigation

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane
1 MIN READ

Two Dead in Norwegian Plane Crash Near Bergen Lake

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal
1 MIN READ

Pentagon Probes Use of Signal App for Discussing Yemen Attack Plans

Seoul Braces for Verdict as
3 MIN READ

Seoul Braces for Verdict as South Korea Awaits Yoon's Fate

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises as Aid Efforts Intensify

Trump Fires Key Security Officials
2 MIN READ

Trump Fires Key Security Officials After Oval Office Meeting

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles
1 MIN READ

Serbian Students Bike 130 Miles to EU Parliament Seeking Support

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988
1 MIN READ

Iranian Judge Linked to 1988 Executions Dies at 70

UN Alarmed by Reports of
1 MIN READ

UN Alarmed by Reports of Civilian Executions in Sudan

Mother and Daughter Found Shot
1 MIN READ

Mother and Daughter Found Shot Dead in Norway; Suspect Also Dead

Elon Musk to Stay as
1 MIN READ

Elon Musk to Stay as Advisor to Trump, Confirms JD Vance

Israeli Legal Experts Call for
1 MIN READ

Israeli Legal Experts Call for War Crimes Probe into Gaza Attack

EU Parliament Approves Delay in
1 MIN READ

EU Parliament Approves Delay in Key Sustainability Rules

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty
2 MIN READ

Denmark Stands Firm on Sovereignty in Talks with US

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination
1 MIN READ

Modi's New Law Fuels Discrimination Concerns in India

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting
1 MIN READ

Israel Probes Deadly Ambulance Shooting in Gaza Strip

California Wildfires Claim 30 Lives
1 MIN READ

California Wildfires Claim 30 Lives as Recovery Efforts Continue

Norovirus Hits Queen Mary 2
1 MIN READ

Norovirus Hits Queen Mary 2 Cruise, Over 240 Passengers Affected

Rubio Affirms US Commitment to
3 MIN READ

Rubio Affirms US Commitment to NATO, Calls for Increased Defense Spending

Bandidos European President Michael Rosenvold
1 MIN READ

Bandidos European President Michael Rosenvold Passes Away

Denmark Pledges Major Support Package
1 MIN READ

Denmark Pledges Major Support Package to Ukraine

Russia Not on US Tariff
2 MIN READ

Russia Not on US Tariff List Despite Broad Global Reach

Gaza Blockade Endangers Pregnant Women
1 MIN READ

Gaza Blockade Endangers Pregnant Women and Newborns, Says Save the Children

Tragedy Strikes as Boats Sink
1 MIN READ

Tragedy Strikes as Boats Sink Near Greece and Turkey, 16 Migrants Dead

Search for Missing MH370 Paused
1 MIN READ

Search for Missing MH370 Paused Until Year-End, Says Malaysia

17 Tesla Cars Set Ablaze
1 MIN READ

17 Tesla Cars Set Ablaze in Rome; Italy Boosts Security Measures

UN Envoy Urges Israel to
2 MIN READ

UN Envoy Urges Israel to Halt Strikes in Southern Syria

US Calls for UN Official's
1 MIN READ

US Calls for UN Official's Removal Over Alleged Anti-Semitic Views

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev Meets US
1 MIN READ

Russian Envoy Dmitrijev Meets US Officials in Washington for Talks

31 Killed in Israeli Air
1 MIN READ

31 Killed in Israeli Air Strike on Gaza School Shelter

Netanyahu's Visit to Hungary Sparks
3 MIN READ

Netanyahu's Visit to Hungary Sparks ICC Withdrawal Decision

Slovakia Approves Culling of 350
1 MIN READ

Slovakia Approves Culling of 350 Bears After Fatal Attack

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Israeli Air Strikes in Syria Leave Four Dead, Hit Military Sites

Mike Waltz's Extensive Use of
1 MIN READ

Mike Waltz's Extensive Use of Signal Raises Security Concerns

Frederiksen Pledges Support for Greenland
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen Pledges Support for Greenland During Challenging Times

Elon Musk Expected to Exit
2 MIN READ

Elon Musk Expected to Exit White House Role Soon, Sources Say

NATO Faces Silence on Turkey's
2 MIN READ

NATO Faces Silence on Turkey's Journalist Arrest Before Key Meeting

Federal Court Dismisses Corruption Charges
1 MIN READ

Federal Court Dismisses Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Adams