Less than an hour’s train ride north of the Bronx lies the small town of Pleasantville. Its biggest pride is the old building of the local cinema, otherwise there are several cafes, restaurants and a little aside the university campus. It’s nothing special, locals say, except that it’s in a district that will decide whether Democrats or Republicans win the majority in Congress.
Pleasantville (From Special Correspondent) – The city’s regular farmers’ markets end shortly after noon. Vendors pack up their stalls and people slowly disperse to the cafes and restaurants that surround the square. The gazebo standing in the middle and the red glowing autumn leaves seem to have fallen out of an American romantic comedy. But when talking to the locals, you can feel the tense atmosphere.
Although the town still belongs to the state of New York, which reliably elects Democratic candidates, there are local divisions here. In 2022, they even elected a Republican member of the House of Representatives, Michael Lawler, in the 17th Congressional District, where Pleasantville falls. Now he will face a new opponent, Mondraine Jones, according to polls, both politicians are fighting an extremely even fight.
In a few days, Lawier or another Republican may be elected here a second time. On Tuesday, November 5th, the locals are not only electing a new American president, but also a third of the Senate and all members of the House of Representatives. And which party wins a majority in both houses of Congress can fundamentally affect how the next presidential administration will function and how much power it will have.
“Definitely, I will only vote Republican. And I hope they win everything. The Senate and the House and the White House,” declares Raphael, a local barber, in a decidedly deep voice. At the same time, he immediately explains his statement.
Too much power is harmful
“No, I shouldn’t say that because it’s un-American. The two-party system works. But I’m saying it because I’d like to see a complete change. To make everything they’ve done to us go away. It’s terrible, the country is in a very bad state. ” Although he is a registered Democrat, he thinks his party should be punished.
He likes Lawler, thinks he’s done a good job in Congress the last two years, but giving him his vote again this time has a lot more to do with Republican ex-president Donald Trump.
Raphael is a big fan of it and unlike many of his neighbors, he proudly and publicly claims it. But he admits that if Donald Trump had absolute power, it would not be good. But he is convinced that it would be much better than if “that woman” had it, as he calls Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
His neighbor Hendreen, who owns a shop selling handicrafts and cosmetics, does not agree with him one bit. “He’s hurting our allies, he’s friends with Russian President Vladimir Putin,” they try to convince him. But Raphael rebuffs her, saying that Trump may be a dictator, but at least he is the strong leader that America needs.
Living together
Hendreen sighs as Raphael leaves. “It’s hard, but Raphael is a great guy. It’s important not to let politics ruin your life.” That explains why people hardly talk about politics in Pleasantville. They don’t want to.
There are almost no signs supporting Trump or his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris. Only a little more can be seen signs supporting one of the candidates for the House of Representatives, which are not so emotionally heated.
“I’m going to vote Democrat, for every position, but there’s a lot of Republicans, see? The neighbors over there even put a sign in their yard for Mike Lowler,” Casey explains. He himself voted Republican in the past, but he does not like where the party is headed under the influence of Donald Trump. “It’s very divided here, some love Trump, others don’t trust him at all. There are two extremes, no one is anywhere in between.”
Even comments in the local newspaper The Examiner show that people here plan to vote for Congress based on whether or not they like Trump. In 2022, when only the House of Representatives was up for election, Lawler managed to present himself as a moderate Republican who often votes with Democrats and is not afraid to compromise. But in the shadow of the presidential election, he lost any autonomy.
A fight for every seat
“Trump knows he can’t win the state of New York, but he still showed up a few times before the election. He did it just to support Republicans who are running for Congress,” explains New Yorker journalist Nicholas Lemann. Here, too, the elections are extremely close, and most will be decided by one or two seats. Therefore, each party needs to defend everything it has and, ideally, win new seats.
Currently, the Democrats have a majority in the House, also thanks to the vote of the vice president, whose vote will decide in the event of a tied vote. Republicans now have a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. But many do not like the chaos that now reigned there under Republican leadership. The party had to change the Speaker of the House several times because a small part of it rebelled and refused to support the leadership.
André is walking down the main street with his young son. They bought sodas and are heading home. “I will definitely support the Democrats. For all positions. The Republicans have already gone crazy,” he adds, adding that although he and his wife are more fiscally conservative, the current Republicans have nothing to do with Ronald Reagan’s party.
“It’s a clear economic decision. They’re trying to destroy the middle class. Cut taxes for the richest but raise them for ordinary people. And they want to stop migration, but who’s going to do the jobs that Americans don’t want? It’s so un-American, this country it is built
Sisters Maria and Rebecca definitely disagree. “Trump is the only one who’s tried to do something about our country. At least I think he’s the only one who’s tried,” they explain as they walk their dogs in a park on the edge of town. “Trump loves America and wants to stand up for us, even though they conspired against him. It’s unfair when the president has been now with all these lawsuits, but he keeps fighting,” they agree.
Sisters Maria and Rebecca will vote for Trump. But they don’t want the neighbors to know. | Photo: Dominika Perlínová
The older one, Maria, says straight away that she doesn’t talk about politics. She sees that her friends on social media support Democrats, so she prefers not to tell them that she likes Trump. In addition, she is afraid that she might lose her job. He makes extra money by walking and looking after dogs. “If their masters knew, I don’t think they’d want me anymore.” This may change after the election, because she is sure that Trump will win this time. The White House and Congress.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert: Understanding the Climate in Pleasantville Ahead of the Upcoming Elections
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and thank you for joining us today. As we approach the elections and considering recent events, it seems that Pleasantville finds itself in a uniquely pivotal position. Can you discuss what makes this small town so significant in the current political landscape?
Political Expert: Absolutely! Pleasantville is more than just a quaint town with its charming farmers’ market and cafes; it’s a microcosm of the larger national divide. Despite being in a traditionally Democratic state, the election of a Republican representative, Michael Lawler, exemplifies shifts in voter sentiment and the complexities of local politics.
Time.news Editor: That’s an intriguing point. The elections are approaching, and reports suggest that both Lawler and his opponent, Mondaire Jones, are locked in a close race. What factors do you think are influencing the voters’ decisions there?
Political Expert: A few key issues are playing a role. For one, there’s a palpable tension among residents — some deeply disillusioned with the Democratic Party, even those who traditionally identify as Democrats, like local barber Raphael. His vote reflects a desire for change and the appeal of Republican narratives.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting how personal views on political figures, like Donald Trump, can shape local opinions. Raphael admires Trump yet expresses concern about his potential power. Can you elaborate on how these individual sentiments might affect the broader voting patterns in Pleasantville?
Political Expert: Individual sentiments, especially those tied to names as polarizing as Donald Trump, can heavily sway local elections. It’s clear that a faction of voters in Pleasantville feels abandoned by traditional Democratic policies. Yet, as seen with voters like Casey, there’s also significant concern about the Republican Party’s current trajectory under Trump’s influence. This split indicates that how effectively candidates can appeal to moderate voters and navigate these divisions will be crucial.
Time.news Editor: Given the low visibility of campaign signs and the reluctance to discuss politics openly in Pleasantville, what does this say about the town’s political climate?
Political Expert: It’s telling of a broader trend — that many are exhausted by the extreme partisanship that has taken hold. Voters appear to prefer addressing candidates and their policies over the party labels. The lack of visible support for either side suggests a hesitation to engage in heated political discourse, reflecting a community striving for coexistence despite differing beliefs.
Time.news Editor: As Election Day approaches, how do you see the dynamics in Pleasantville influencing the overall outcomes in Congress?
Political Expert: Pleasantville’s dynamics could serve as a bellwether for Congress. If Lawler maintains his seat, it might signal a shifting landscape in traditionally Democratic districts, highlighting growing support for Republicans, especially amongst those who previously identified as Democrats. Conversely, if Jones can galvanize voters, it could reinforce Democratic strength in otherwise vulnerable regions, impacting the balance of power in Congress significantly.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights! As we wrap up, what should people be watching for in the lead-up to the elections in Pleasantville and nationally?
Political Expert: Keep an eye on voter turnout and engagement levels in these close races. Pay attention to how candidates frame their messages in light of local sentiments, and watch for any shifts in community discussions. The result in Pleasantville could echo through wider electoral implications, determining who truly holds the reins in Congress come next year.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today and providing such comprehensive insights into Pleasantville’s political climate as we approach this critical election. It’s certainly an area to watch closely!