BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Is Erie County turning red?
Call it a 'post game breakdown' of the 2020 election in Western New York by professors at the University at Buffalo.
The question – is traditionally blue Erie County becoming republican country?
“I don't see this as a red or red leaning county, so much as a very mixed county — that reflects the wider divisions of the country,” declared Kari Winter, UB professor American Studies.
“Although Erie County — I think had a large number of very adamant Trump supporters,” responded James Campbell, UB Distinguished Professor of political science.
But none of the professors would make a commitment to saying the county is indeed turning to ‘red’.
“I’m not convinced that we can call Erie County a red county just yet — when all the absentees are tallied — although it wouldn't be entirely unprecedented in this election,” remarked Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor of politics science.
The professors did address the divide and polarization of communities.
In fact, it sparked a somewhat heated exchange between Dr. Henry Taylor, director of UB's Center for Urban Studies, and professor Campbell.
“We have to be willing to look at that ugliness and what that ugliness means,” Taylor stated.
Then Campbell tried to make a remark.
“Will you let me finish Jim?” Asked Taylor. “Don't interrupt me — do not interrupt me,” Taylor said.
“I’m not interrupting you,” responded Campbell. “Do not interrupt me,” repeated Taylor.
“Talk about ugly,” replied Campbell.
Professor Taylor says the Trump administration has caused a deep divide and that reveals far reaching racism.
“This is Donald Trump’s America,” Taylor stated.
Taylor also stated that he believes democrats have “no vision that excites people.”
Paul Batorski is a registered democrat from Hamburg. He says he's very “unhappy” with his party and the selection of Joe Biden as their candidate.
“Out of all the talented people that — that they have in the democratic party. They have to have Joe Biden runs as president — it was awful,” Batroski responded.
If you walk the streets in Buffalo’s outer ring suburbs, you will find bunches of support for Donald Trump. In streets in the city of Buffalo, you find many Biden supporters.
