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The Democrats’ Path Back to Power Might Start in Places Like This Appalachian Town

In May 2025, Democrats held a large gathering in Johnson County, Kentucky, an overwhelmingly white rural area with strong Republican support.
This event reflects efforts to regain influence amid population losses in Democratic-led states and strong GOP rural voter support, shown by Trump winning 60% nationally and 85% locally in 2020.
The gathering combined town hall, pep talk, and catharsis elements in an area with persistent poverty and where local health care remains a key employer under a Medicaid expansion led by Democratic governor Andy Beshear.
Stumbo described the event as the largest Democratic turnout he has witnessed in Johnson County, while Elridge noted that Democrats had ceased engaging in important conversations within white rural communities.
Despite challenges, including projected Electoral College losses and difficulty winning Senate control, Democrats see rebuilding rural ties through small meetings as essential to future electoral gains.

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The Virginian Pilot

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The Democrats’ path back to power might start in places like this small Appalachian town

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — Janet Lynn Stumbo leaned on her cane and surveyed the two dozen or so voters who had convened in a small Appalachian town to meet with the chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party. A former Kentucky Supreme Court justice, the 70-year-old Stumbo said the event was “the biggest Democratic gathering I have ever seen in Johnson County,” an enclave where Republican Donald Trump got 85% of the presidential vote last November. Paintsvi…

7 hours ago·Norfolk, United States

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