“I’m a registered Democrat, but the Democratic Party ain’t for the working people anymore. Hillary Clinton lied on so many issues that I can’t trust her for anything.”
A little over 74 percent of voters in McDowell County, West Virginia, cast their votes for Donald Trump in November’s presidential election.
Dimitrios Manis, a photojournalist based in Washington, DC, recently traveled to McDowell County to talk to residents to find out what made the area such a stronghold for Trump. The county, largely dependent on the mining industry, had a population of over 50,000 residents in the 1970s, but has a population below 20,000 now, according to U.S. Census data.
Here’s what he saw:
Lydia Morgan is a small-business owner in Welch, West Virginia: “I voted for Trump because I like that he says what he thinks no matter what. I am like that too. Also, I couldn’t disagree more with Hillary Clinton on the abortion issue.”
John Belcher of Kimball, West Virginia: “In this election we had two shitty choices and we chose the shit that stink less.”
Kimball resident Michael Acosta: “The politicians for the last few years are taking our jobs and putting everybody on unemployment. They want us to live with unemployment benefits so that they can control us. I don’t want their money; I want a job. I voted for Trump, because I think he will fix the economy, not only here, but in the whole country.”
Ed Sheradon, a 93-year-old World War II veteran: “I didn’t vote in this election. I see no meaning of this. Whoever goes to the White House will do whatever he/she wants to do and won’t give a damn about us.”
McDowell County Commissioner Cecil Dale Patterson: “All these years we voted for politicians that promised everything and did nothing. Our county is dying and nobody cares. So, this time we voted for somebody out of this group. I don’t know if he will do what he said, but let’s give this man a chance. Look at us, we have nothing to lose!”
Welch resident Jack Bailey: “I’m a registered Democrat, but the Democratic Party ain’t for the working people anymore. Hillary Clinton lied on so many issues that I can’t trust her for anything.”
As the poverty is rising, drug trafficking and addiction became a major problem in McDowell County. Gary Gilbert was a drug addict for more than 20 years and the last two years is clean; as he said “Life here is really hard. There are no jobs, no money, no future. So, when you are high you don’t feel the depression, you are happy. I couldn’t vote but if I could I will vote for Trump cause I believe he will bring back our jobs.”
This County Gives A Glimpse At The America That Voted Trump Into Office
Good luck, West Virginia, on your new president. It remains to be seen how many lies Trump told you.
A little over 74 percent of voters in McDowell County, West Virginia, cast their votes for Donald Trump in November’s presidential election.
Dimitrios Manis, a photojournalist based in Washington, DC, recently traveled to McDowell County to talk to residents to find out what made the area such a stronghold for Trump. The county, largely dependent on the mining industry, had a population of over 50,000 residents in the 1970s, but has a population below 20,000 now, according to U.S. Census data.
Here’s what he saw:
Lydia Morgan is a small-business owner in Welch, West Virginia: “I voted for Trump because I like that he says what he thinks no matter what. I am like that too. Also, I couldn’t disagree more with Hillary Clinton on the abortion issue.”
John Belcher of Kimball, West Virginia: “In this election we had two shitty choices and we chose the shit that stink less.”
Kimball resident Michael Acosta: “The politicians for the last few years are taking our jobs and putting everybody on unemployment. They want us to live with unemployment benefits so that they can control us. I don’t want their money; I want a job. I voted for Trump, because I think he will fix the economy, not only here, but in the whole country.”
Ed Sheradon, a 93-year-old World War II veteran: “I didn’t vote in this election. I see no meaning of this. Whoever goes to the White House will do whatever he/she wants to do and won’t give a damn about us.”
McDowell County Commissioner Cecil Dale Patterson: “All these years we voted for politicians that promised everything and did nothing. Our county is dying and nobody cares. So, this time we voted for somebody out of this group. I don’t know if he will do what he said, but let’s give this man a chance. Look at us, we have nothing to lose!”
Welch resident Jack Bailey: “I’m a registered Democrat, but the Democratic Party ain’t for the working people anymore. Hillary Clinton lied on so many issues that I can’t trust her for anything.”
As the poverty is rising, drug trafficking and addiction became a major problem in McDowell County. Gary Gilbert was a drug addict for more than 20 years and the last two years is clean; as he said “Life here is really hard. There are no jobs, no money, no future. So, when you are high you don’t feel the depression, you are happy. I couldn’t vote but if I could I will vote for Trump cause I believe he will bring back our jobs.”
This County Gives A Glimpse At The America That Voted Trump Into Office
Good luck, West Virginia, on your new president. It remains to be seen how many lies Trump told you.
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