Small-Town Pennsylvania Is Changing, and Democrats See Opportunity

Politics came past astatine the 89th Ephrata Fair Parade.

After the cheerleaders, Shriners and Cub Scouts, aft the Republican interval piled with bales of hay, section Democrats, connected Float No. 119, braced for a hail of boos and possibly adjacent candy projectiles. After all, it was precocious September successful an predetermination twelvemonth successful Ephrata, a blimpish municipality successful Lancaster County, Pa.

But that night, the booing was much sporadic than they expected; determination were adjacent a fewer cheers. The astir concentrated jeering came precocious successful the route, erstwhile a gait afloat of parade watchers greeted them with the anti-Biden chant “Let’s go, Brandon!”

The gait belonged to Brian Keith, 49, who has lived determination for years. “It’s precise overmuch a conservative, right-leaning community,” helium said.