Aug 26, 2018 5 min read

Back in April, we put on jeans and work shoes and took a tour around the county, stopping at some gas stations and diners early in the morning to meet the people who really make America run. We met truck drivers, delivery men, gas and oil workers, police officers and other hard-working folks. We wanted to hear what their concerns were and what they expected from their elected officials. We heard a clear message.

At the Washington County Fair, I met these folks again with a large number of their friends. I was at the Washington County Republican Party booth where we had a steady stream of visitors stop by to talk with us. We had many great conversations that were very similar to what I heard last April. People are still focused on their job security, their future and their kids’ future. They are not very interested in discussing international politics, social issues, Russian collusion theories or what Hollywood airheads are saying.

I will tell you what virtually all of them talked about. They like the direction of the economy as it continues to improve; they have more money in their paychecks; their jobs are secure, and they like President Trump more now than when they voted for him in 2016 because he has delivered on his promises. They look forward to voting for him again in 2020.

This is a group of hard-working Americans to whom results matter. You can tell them that the national unemployment level is at 3.9 percent, the lowest it has been in decades, and that the Washington County unemployment level has dropped to 4.4 percent. But to them, it’s who is working that means something. They want to see jobs here. That’s a result that matters.

These people are the economic engine of America. They thanked the president for taking decisive action on illegal immigration because they realize that illegal immigration takes American jobs and depresses American wages. They were, to a person, opposed to sanctuary cities. They thanked the president for removing many of the onerous business regulations of the Obama administration because they are seeing local business prospering again. These people see the president’s tax plan working and have no desire to give up the prosperity that they and America now enjoy for a return to the smothering big-brother regulatory mess that Democrats propose.

These are family people – that was obvious. Mothers and fathers came with their kids. The T-shirts, ball caps and patches made it very clear where they stood on family values. There were all manner of Second Amendment statements, pro-life statements, pro-energy statements, First Amendment statements and religious statements. There was no filth or foul language. There was a vendor in the pavilion doing a brisk business selling Republican paraphernalia. No Democrat gear was on display.

Most of the Republican candidates running in the fall election were at the Republican booth. Those who stopped by had the opportunity to meet and talk to the candidates, and many took a moment for a photo op. Number one on the photo op chart was president and Mrs. Trump. The life-sized cut-out probably had its picture taken with a couple hundred people. Yes, the president is popular.

Other popular attractions at the booth were congressional candidate, state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler; state Sen. Camera Bartolotta; county Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan, and state Reps. Jason Ortitay and Tim O’Neal.

As we draw nearer to November, the volume of the professional guessers seems to dial itself up. I’m getting tired of hearing about the “Big Blue Wave” that’s coming. There isn’t one. It may be true that mid-term elections are often marked by a loss of congressional seats by the party in power, and while the Republicans may lose some seats this year, it will not be a wave. The Democrats need a net gain of 24 seats to take control of the House. They won’t get that. The big reason there will be no “Blue Wave” this year is the same reason why Trump won in 2016: the people want what he stands for. They like prosperity. They like jobs. They like security. They like results, and Trump has delivered results.

Looking at the numbers, so far the Republicans have won eight of nine special elections for open seats. This surely doesn’t forecast a wave. Even if the Democrats won all the competitive Republican seats in the fall that would not be enough to win the House, and Republicans are favored in several of these. Add to that several Republican opportunities to pick up seats. The only way Democrats can make any headway is to defeat some popular Republican incumbents, and as the economy keeps moving ahead and wages are beginning to move up, that seems unlikely. Additionally, only nine Republican incumbents represent Democrat-leaning districts.

I will add one final bit of data to my fair prognostication. The parking lot on this particular night was full to overflowing. My Fitbit tracker gave me an attaboy for the steps I put on getting to and from my car. What was notable as I did an informal “parking lot poll” was that the lot was probably 50 percent pickup trucks, and I saw a very significant number of Trump 2016 bumper stickers still being displayed along with some brand new Trump/Pence 2020 signs. There were a lot of other candidate signs, very heavily Republican. Contrary to media reports, Republicans are engaged.

Washington County went 60 percent for Trump in 2016. We have great candidates running in all state representative, state Senate and congressional races. Washington County will stay red.

Nationally, Trump will have the support he needs to continue making America even greater.

Dave Ball is vice president of the Washington County Republican Party and a Peters Township councilman.