In 2004, one year after nearly everyone in this town lost their jobs under a Republican presidency, they voted to re-elect Bush by 33 points. In 2008, with the economy in shambles under a Republican presidency, they went for McCain by 18 points. It’s clearly not just about jobs with them.

Great article, I am from the same area, went to China Grove Middle and was a senior in high school when the mill closed. I am struggling with the holidays now as I am hispanic and dealt with a good bit of racism living there and with Trump winning, my younger siblings are starting to deal with a lot of what I went…