Democrats Face Rust Belt Challenge as GOP Unites

Former President Trump's selection of Sen. JD Vance as his running mate aims to appeal to Midwestern voters, while New York Republicans see potential gains in their own state.

Former President Donald Trump's allies are betting on his selection of Sen. JD Vance as a key appeal to Midwestern voters, a strategy that New York Republican lawmakers hope will also give their party a boost in their own state.

House GOP lawmakers representing the Democratic stronghold held a media event on Tuesday, a day after Trump announced Vance as his running mate for the November election.

Democrats Face Rust Belt Challenge as GOP Unites

Reps. Nicole Malliotakis and Mike Lawler pointed to Vance's pro-union stances, which align with policies that have won support in their districts as well.

"I think that's an area where – in New York, I have one of the largest districts of labor union representation, in membership," Malliotakis said. "And I think that's where JD Vance is going to resonate with working men and women."

Democrats Face Rust Belt Challenge as GOP Unites

Lawler argued that Vance's military service and background story would resonate with Americans across the country, including in New York.

"JD Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after 9/11," Lawler said. "This is a blue collar, working-class guy raised by his grandmother who was a blue dog Democrat, went, got his law degree, started his own business."

Democrats Face Rust Belt Challenge as GOP Unites

Rep. Claudia Tenney, who represents part of upstate New York, said her district was not much different from the Rust Belt states where the Trump campaign hopes Vance will appeal most.

"I think JD Vance is an inspiring choice," Tenney said. "Only in America can you achieve and come from the most humble roots, and be so successful as JD Vance is."

Democrats Face Rust Belt Challenge as GOP Unites

She added, however, that House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, who was also at the press conference, would have been a "historic" choice.

The New York Republicans' push comes as the national GOP appears to be unifying behind Trump and Vance. On Monday, Trump gave a defiant speech to kick off the Republican National Convention, while Vance delivered a fiery address that sought to unite the party.

The Democrats, meanwhile, are facing challenges in securing the Rust Belt. President Biden's approval ratings have been slipping in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, according to recent polls.

Biden is scheduled to give his own address to the Democratic National Convention on Thursday. It remains to be seen if he can galvanize the party and energize voters in the Rust Belt.

In New York, Democratic Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine told Politico last week that he believes the state is now a "battleground state."

"We're still acting like this is a one-party state, which for pretty much 20, 25 years it has been," Levine said. "I truly believe we're a battleground state now."

The New York Republican lawmakers are hoping to capitalize on the perceived weakness of the Democrats. Malliotakis said she believes the GOP can make gains in the state by focusing on issues like crime and the economy.

"I think that's where we can win back New York," Malliotakis said. "We need to talk about the issues that matter most to people."

The Democrats are aware of the challenge they face. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said in a statement that the party "will not take any state for granted."

"We know that the GOP is going to try to make gains in New York and other states," Harrison said. "But we are confident that we can win these races and keep America on the path to progress."