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    The Field: Why Suburban Women Changed Their Minds

    enOctober 26, 2020
    What demographic played a key role in the 2016 election?
    How did suburban women's voting patterns change by 2018?
    Who is Katy Paris and what motivated her involvement in politics?
    What strategies does the group Red Wine and Blue use?
    How did the 2016 election influence women's political engagement?

    • Suburban women's voting patterns shifting towards DemocratsSuburban women, a key voting bloc, have been shifting towards Democratic candidates, as shown in the 2018 midterm elections. Their engagement in politics could significantly impact the 2020 presidential election.

      Suburban white women have emerged as a key voting bloc capable of swinging elections. As mentioned in the discussion, during the 2016 presidential election, their surprising support for Donald Trump played a significant role in his victory. However, in the past few years, polling data shows that this demographic has shifted towards Democratic candidates. The midterm elections of 2018 provided the first clear indication of this trend, with suburban women favoring Democratic candidates by substantial margins. This shift was particularly noticeable in states like Ohio, where Democrats failed to make any gains despite the national "blue wave." Katy Paris, a Democrat and a mother living in a suburb of Cleveland, was inspired by this trend and decided to get involved in politics to help flip Ohio blue in 2020. The power of suburban women engaging in politics is a potent force, and it could play a decisive role in the upcoming presidential election.

    • Discovering the power of suburban women in Ohio politicsKatie Paris, inspired by the impact of black voters and apathy of white suburban women in 2018 midterms, quit her job to engage suburban women, forming 'Red Wine and Blue' to amplify their voices and bridge political divide

      The 2018 midterm elections served as a wake-up call for Katie Paris, leading her to discover the significant role black voters play in Ohio elections and the apathy of white suburban women towards voting. Motivated by this realization, Katie quit her job and dedicated herself to engaging suburban women in Ohio politics. She started by meeting women in groups, often at places like Panera, and watched as these groups grew through word-of-mouth. Eventually, she founded her own group, Red Wine and Blue, to connect and amplify the voices of these women. These women, who were not typical political activists, offered relatable stories and could help bridge the political divide. Their voices, Katie believed, were crucial to making politics more accessible and less polarizing for other moms.

    • Utilizing local women organizers to reach suburban votersLeveraging deep community connections of local women organizers to effectively engage suburban voters and challenge opposing candidates' narratives using humor.

      Katie's group is utilizing unconventional political organizers – local women with deep community connections – to reach suburban voters in a way that resonates with them. These women, unlike typical paid organizers, are known and trusted within their communities, and their personal networks hold valuable information about potential voters. The group is also capitalizing on the political rhetoric surrounding suburban women and using it to their advantage, creating content that challenges and mocks opposing candidates' attempts to appeal to this demographic. By owning the narrative and using humor, they are effectively flipping the script and engaging voters in a way that traditional methods may not be able to achieve.

    • Democrats Engaging Women Voters with Diverse BackgroundsThe Democratic Party is attracting women voters with diverse political backgrounds, including those who previously voted for third-party or opposing candidates, by engaging and welcoming their perspectives.

      The Democratic Party is successfully attracting women voters who previously didn't engage in politics or voted for third-party or opposing candidates. During a meeting with Katie, a member of the group Red Wine and Blue, they shared their strategy of bringing together women with diverse political backgrounds. The group includes Hannah, a stay-at-home mom who voted for Gary Johnson in 2016, Andrea, a public charter school employee who was a lifelong Republican until she voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Kate, who voted for Trump in 2016 but plans to vote for Joe Biden in 2020. Each woman shared her reasons for their past votes and how their perspectives have changed. Hannah, who felt guilty about her vote for Gary Johnson, acknowledged that her decision didn't impact the election outcome. Kate, the Trump voter, expressed feelings of guilt and limited beliefs that led to her vote. These women's stories demonstrate the importance of engaging and welcoming diverse perspectives within the political community.

    • Women's experiences as mothers shape their political decisionsPersonal moments and observations, like debates on abortion rights and mask-wearing during a pandemic, have influenced women's votes in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Motivated by their desire to model good behavior and values for their children, they have supported Joe Biden and encouraged others to do the same.

      The experiences of women, particularly as mothers, have played a significant role in shaping their political decisions during the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. The stories shared by Kate, Hannah, and Andrea illustrate how personal moments and observations, such as debates on abortion rights or the importance of wearing masks during a pandemic, have influenced their votes. The cumulative effect of these experiences, and the desire to model good behavior and values for their children, has motivated them to support Joe Biden and encourage others to do the same.

    • The 2016 election led to increased political engagement, particularly among women.The 2016 election inspired many to become politically active and some have vowed never to vote for a Republican again due to Trump's actions.

      The 2016 election resulted in many people, including those who had never considered themselves activists, feeling compelled to engage in political discourse and activism. This was particularly true for women, who expressed a strong desire to avoid the feelings of regret and stress experienced after the election. The 2020 election has seen a significant shift in suburban Ohio, with Biden leading by a large margin, indicating a change in voting patterns. Some interviewees expressed doubt that they would ever vote for a Republican candidate again due to the damage done by Donald Trump to the party. Overall, the 2016 election served as a catalyst for many to become more politically engaged, and the impact of this engagement is still being felt in the lead up to the 2020 election.

    • Women, especially white suburban mothers, are shifting their voting behavior due to social justice movementsWomen, particularly white suburban mothers, are reevaluating their political allegiances and prioritizing issues of race and equality, leading to a significant shift in voting behavior.

      The events of the last few years, particularly the death of George Floyd and the subsequent social justice movements, have led to a significant shift in values and voting behavior for many women, especially white suburban mothers. This shift is not just about changing political parties, but a deeper recognition of systemic issues and a commitment to consider the well-being of all communities. For some, like Andrea, this meant moving away from Republican ideologies and policies that seemed to be against the interests of marginalized communities. For others, like Kate, the realization of the lack of action from the Republican party on issues of race and equality was a turning point. This profound shift in voting behavior is a testament to the power of events and social movements to challenge deeply held beliefs and values.

    • Personal Evolution on Political Issues: Abortion and COVID-19Speakers shared their evolving perspectives on abortion and expressed regret for past judgments. They also questioned the logic behind labeling Vice President Pence's campaigning as essential work during the COVID-19 surge.

      The speakers in this conversation shared their personal experiences and how they have evolved in their views on political issues, particularly regarding abortion. They acknowledged that their understanding had become more complex, and they expressed feelings of shame for past judgments they had made about others' experiences. On a different note, the conversation also touched on the current surge in COVID-19 cases and the controversy surrounding Vice President Pence's continued campaigning despite being potentially exposed to the virus. The speakers questioned the rationale behind labeling Pence's campaigning as "essential work," which should exempt him from quarantine rules.

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