LYNN, Massachusetts ― Mark Callahan has consistently cast his vote for Democrats in nearly every presidential election he can recall. That changed this year.

At 67 years old, Callahan chose to support President-elect Donald Trump, driven by worries over increasing living costs and doubts about the Democratic leadership’s ability to effectively address the economy.

A lifelong resident of Lynn, located just four miles north of the progressive city of Boston, Callahan expressed uncertainty about whether Trump’s proposed policies would actually lead to lower gas prices or grocery bills. However, he remains optimistic that Trump might bring about some needed changes.

“Prices were through the roof. What we had wasn’t cutting it,” Callahan remarked, standing on a crumbling sidewalk beside a row of local take-out eateries and convenience stores in downtown Lynn.

With the fallout from the 2024 election now clearer, the shift in voters like Callahan in traditionally blue states has exposed the broader issues facing the Democratic Party as it loses support from its once-reliable working-class demographic.

These issues, first observed in blue wall states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania after the 2016 election, have now surfaced in numerous former Democratic strongholds around the nation, even in states like deeply blue Massachusetts.

A glimpse into a vivid blue future

Massachusetts ranks among the most liberal states in the United States. In 1972, it was the sole state to favor Democratic candidate George McGovern over Republican Richard Nixon. The last time Massachusetts supported a Republican presidential candidate was in 1984, casting its vote for Ronald Reagan.

This year, the state overwhelmingly backed the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Nonetheless, it also witnessed one of the most significant shifts toward Republican support, primarily fueled by growth in Trump’s voter base among working-class communities and a decline in Democratic voter turnout.

To analyze this phenomenon, Garrett Dash Nelson, a historical geographer focusing on community structure and political ideology, examined election results along with U.S. Census demographic data for various municipalities in Massachusetts.

Regardless of the classification method, Nelson found consistent patterns.

“Massachusetts exhibited trends similar to those seen nationwide,” noted Dash Nelson, the head curator at the Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library. “Republican gains are primarily found in working-class, often diverse municipalities.”

Areas with a larger proportion of service industry workers, lower median household incomes, and less formal education typically showed a more significant increase in Trump votes compared to wealthier, white-collar regions.

The city of Lawrence, historically linked to the labor movement, experienced the most drastic shift in Massachusetts, with a staggering 46% increase in support for Trump. With a population that is 80% Latino, Lawrence’s median household income is $53,977—almost half the state’s average of around $100,000.

Springfield, located in southwestern Massachusetts, also noted a 16% gain for Trump. Here, over 25% of residents are employed in typical blue-collar hospitality roles, including jobs at the MGM casino district.

Lynn saw a more than 11% bump in support for Trump, with just about 15% of the 101,000 residents holding a college degree, significantly below the state average of 48%.

Economic struggles

Jim Gigliello, 48, and Curran Bennett, 28, expressed their relief at Trump’s victory.

While they unloaded a dresser from their truck after finishing their last job of the week on a recent Friday, they shared their anxieties about the implications of the 2024 election results.

“There was nothing that could help us,” remarked Curran, a resident of Malden, Massachusetts, who frequently works in Lynn.

“The working-class folks,” Gigliello added. “They’ve just overlooked us.”

Living in Revere, Massachusetts, Gigliello mentioned that he hasn’t supported a Democratic presidential candidate since he backed Bill Clinton in the 1990s. In recent years, he feels that Democratic leaders have placed too much emphasis on social issues, instead of addressing “bigger concerns like the economy.”

This sentiment is echoed by Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who represents Lynn and various nearby communities in Northeastern Massachusetts. He has consistently heard similar feedback over the last few years.

“The general sentiment is that Republicans seem more engaged with the pressing issues people face,” Moulton noted, referencing topics such as immigration and the economy.

In the days immediately following the elections, Moulton expressed to the New York Times that he believed Democrats had become too absorbed in culture wars and identity politics. He faced criticism from his party for comments regarding his apprehensions about transgender women competing on the same sports teams as his daughters.

Moulton contended that the backlash validated his arguments.

“Many Democrats have adopted a very patronizing stance, viewing anyone who disagrees with them as not only incorrect but as bad individuals,” he stated.

“We must focus on doing much less preaching and significantly more listening.”

Republicans in Massachusetts have also taken note of these sentiments and seek to leverage the concerns raised. Jennifer Nassour, the former chair of the Massachusetts GOP, expressed optimism that Republicans in the state legislature can benefit from the recent shift in political dynamics.

“We need to be aware that voters are after specific changes, and identity politics isn’t what they’re looking for,” Nassour explained. “It’s about a broad-reaching approach. If we can stay on this path, there are significant opportunities for Republicans come 2026.”

Widespread Discontent

Massachusetts witnessed a surge in conservative Trump voters while simultaneously experiencing a decline in Democratic voter turnout during the 2024 elections.

George Markos, 65, who runs Brothers Deli in Lynn, chose not to vote. He was away in Greece during the elections and didn’t request an absentee ballot.

A former Democrat, Markos explained that he no longer identifies with either party. He believes national politics have little effect on his personal life. When asked his thoughts on Trump’s victory, Markos simply waved his hand.

“It won’t affect my life,” he remarked.

Moulton believes that rebuilding trust with voters like Markos, who are disillusioned with the party and politics overall, is crucial to reclaiming working-class demographics.

“There exists an underlying distrust among many Americans towards the Democratic Party,” he asserted. “Even if they prefer our policies, they don’t trust us to adequately address America’s challenges.”