As the nominate a presidential ticket and refresh the strategy with new leadership, consider the importance of rural voters. Small shifts in how rural people vote can determine the presidency, , and House of Representatives. Rural Democracy Initiative's spring in the presidential race—more than enough to swing results across several key states with large rural populations.
But to win over rural voters, the party must understand who rural voters are, what we want, and make space to listen to us. Regardless of electoral outcomes, bridging racial and geographic divides with a pro-democracy, pro-working people agenda will make our country safer and more prosperous. I grew up in a rural part of western Washington and currently live in Seattle.
I have organized in all kinds of communities, including small towns, progressive cities, and rapidly diversifying suburbs. I now direct the largest effort in the country to invest in leaders engaging rural and small-town Americans: the . Deeply informed by this perspective, I see the tremendous opportunity to build power for progress in rural communities this year.
First, we must remember that rural communities look different across the country. Geography, economy, demographics, and proximity to cities vary considerably. Twenty-four percent of rural residents are people of color, and there are many majority Black and majority Latino rural communities, especially in the South and Southwest.
Rural areas include sovereign Native American nati.