ERIE, Pa.—Thousands turned out to the Bayfront Convention Center on Sept. 29 to hear former President Donald Trump speak. Hundreds more gathered outside the convention center to watch his speech on a jumbo display, while nearby stands were set up to register voters, hawk mail-in ballots, and hand out Trump–Vance yard signs and bumper stickers.
There’s a reason for that: Erie County, with the city of Erie as county seat, is a strong indicator of who will win Pennsylvania. Since 1980, with the exception of 1988, the county has backed the statewide winner of presidential races.
