“It’s not easy being a Democrat in this area.”
Jan Hill, 76, stood behind the Hillsdale County Democratic Party booth at the county fair on a drizzly Friday night. He and his wife, Mary Hill, 74, have been involved with the HCDP since her retirement 10 years ago. With an open grin, Jan stands to the right of Mary, the membership chairman of the HCDP, as she greets passersby and explains the merits of the Democratic Party.
“No one has had a change of mind—yet—but some people have walked away saying, ‘I’ll think about it,’” she said.
The HCDP represents a small but passionate minority in a region where Democrats are the political underdog. Active since the 1970s, the group boasts about 40 active members committed to providing an alternative to Hillsdale County’s dominant conservative streak.
“Our biggest obstacle in Hillsdale County is the fact that 70 percent of registered voters in Hillsdale County are registered as Republicans,” said Pat Pastula, Hillsdale County Democratic Party Chairperson, in an email. “Only 30 percent of registered voters in Hillsdale County are registered Democrats.”
Pastula, who has been chairperson of the HCDP for four years, mentioned taxes and education as two national issues that the organization focuses on at a local level. This means highlighting not just this year’s presidential election, but also the local congressional race.
“The role of the Hillsdale County Democratic Party is to garner as many Hillsdale County votes for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot,” Pastula said. “From our Democratic nominees, Hillary Clinton for president and Gretchen Driskell for Congress, to all of our State Board of Education and regent candidates.”
Although most people already have their minds made up when it comes to Trump and Clinton, more people are willing to be swayed when it comes to the congressional candidates, according to Mary. On the table in front of her, a stack of fliers bearing Driskell’s name and face mingles with the less conspicuous “Clinton Kaine ‘16” bumper stickers.
In order to aid both Driskell and Clinton, the HCDP is gearing its efforts toward educating citizens and encouraging them to register to vote. With around 40 active members, the HCDP participates in a variety of other activities to promote Democratic candidates and encourage civic involvement.
On Sept. 26, local Democrats walked the Hillsdale County Fair Parade with Driskell. Pastula called the experience “fantastic” and said about 15 young people joined.
“Their enthusiasm during the parade was absolutely off the charts,” he said.
The group’s booth at the fair, where people passing could register to vote or sign up to be involved in Democratic causes, was a key part of this season’s activism.
“Our presence at the Hillsdale County Fair is our number one outreach to Hillsdale County voters,” Pastula said. “Many of the people who manned our booth said it was the best experience they’ve ever had manning the booth.”
The HCDP also offers two $500 scholarships to high school students for writing an essay related to civic involvement. Last year, Jan said, only one student applied.
Despite the overwhelming support for the Republican Party in Hillsdale County, Jan has never seen so many Republicans who dislike their presidential candidate, he said. He himself was a Republican for almost 30 years, but he was more committed to the right candidate than to his political party.
“When I get into that booth, I vote for the best person, the one who’s most qualified,” he said.
“Once you get in that booth you do what you feel is right.”
Although most Hillsdale County voters side with the Republican candidate when they find themselves in the voting booth, Mary said meeting people at the fair this week has shown her that there are more Democrats in the area than she had thought.
“I get very discouraged oftentimes, being a Democrat here,” she said. “And then we get here, and I’ve felt more positive than in the past—because there’s more positive feedback.”