As the election season came to a close, all eyes were on Pennsylvania, specifically, Pittsburgh.
Both Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump appealed to voters in the city, with two different messages.
Harris in Rankin
Vice President Harris held an event at the Carrie Blast furnaces in Rankin, which sits east of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. Harris’ running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, joined via satellite.
Harris’ final message to voters was straightforward: vote.
“We have an opportunity in this election to finally turn the page on a decade of politics driven by fear and division”, said Harris, with the crowd erupting in applause.
Harris was also joined by a performance from musician Katy Perry, as well as remarks by comedian Cedric the Entertainer.
Trump in Pittsburgh
While Vice President Harris was rallying up supporters in Rankin, former President Donald Trump addressed a crowd at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Donald Trump was joined by Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo, Senate candidate David McCormick, and Roberto Clemente Jr., son of the Pittsburgh baseball legend.
Clemente Jr. endorsed Trump on stage, saying he wants to “Make America Healthy Again” and encouraged supporters to make their voices heard on Election Day.
Trump makes gains in Pennsylvania
Republican nominee Former President Donald Trump made big gains in Western Pennsylvania, winning every county in the region with the exception of Allegheny.
According to official election returns, Vice President Harris received 59.16% of the vote in Allegheny County while Former President Trump received 39.43% of the vote. This almost mirrors the results from 2020 when President Biden won the county with 59.43% of the vote, compared to Trump receiving 39.03% of the vote.
Allegheny County remaining politically stagnant, while surrounding counties trended more Republican, was a major reason for Harris’ loss in the commonwealth.
Trump also flipped Erie County, which had narrowly voted for President Joe Biden four years prior.
In Butler County, Trump flipped Slippery Rock borough, which had voted for President Biden in 2020.
