Pennsylvania: The state that gave America its current president

Situated in the northeastern US that shares the boundary with New York, Pennsylvania is often called “The Keystone State” because it played a pivotal role in the founding and development of the country. The state of Pennsylvania is also central to US politics and was the second state to join the Union in 1787. Although its capital is Harrisburg, Philadelphia is the largest city and most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Who are the voters?

When it comes to voters, Pennsylvania is diverse. People of Pennsylvania have different affiliations as the state is composed of a mix of urban and rural areas which influences the voter landscape.

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While in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, residents are more concerned about social issues and hold strong views and hence lean towards Democrats, rural areas of Pennsylvania house conservative people who often vote for Republicans.

Pennsylvania has a mix of ethnicities and cultures, including large African American communities in cities and a growing Hispanic population. The white population in the state makes up around 75 per cent while black or African American people make up about 12 per cent. The Hispanic or Latino population of the state is over 18 per cent.

Is it Democrat or Republican?

Neither. It is a swing state, meaning people of the state can support either the Democratic Party or Republican Party at any given point in time during an election.

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Between 1992 and 2012, Pennsylvania overwhelmingly voted for Democratic candidates in presidential elections. However, in 2016, the state broke the Democratic streak by voting for Donald Trump. Four years later, in 2020, Pennsylvania flipped back to Democratic support, with Joe Biden winning the state.

Has it given the US a president?

America’s current president Joe Biden is from Scranton, Pennsylvania. He lived in the city for ten years before moving to Delaware.

The country’s 15th President James Buchanan is also from Pennsylvania.

If there is any memorable election for the state?

The 2020 presidential election was one of Pennsylvania’s most historic contests, as the state’s significant 20 electoral votes made it a crucial battleground, ultimately influencing the election’s outcome.