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Mahoning County, Ohio (CNN)Dozens of lifelong Democrats were calling and Mark Monroe knew something was going on. They were calling the local Republican Party chairman because they wanted to join his party.
They wanted to join Donald Trump's party.
It turns out that registering is as easy as asking for a ballot on Ohio's primary day. So, he told them, just show up on March 15, and request a Republican ballot. So they did.
Trump's convention choice: Bring the party together or blow it apart
In Mahoning County, home to Youngstown, one of the great steel cities of the early 20th century, 6,171 Democrats did this. Fewer than 200 Republicans wanted to become Democrats.
"I looked at Republican turnout on election night and I saw 34,000 Republicans had voted," Monroe said. "I nearly fell off my chair because there were only 14- or 15,000 Republicans in Mahoning County."
Most shocking of all, is that 18 Democratic precinct captains -- local party officials in the county -- were among the switchers. Dave Betras, the county Democratic chair, summarily fired them.
"I just simply with the stroke of a pen removed them and filled their positions with other loyal Democrats," he said.
If Donald Trump can win Ohio in November, it'll be because of places like Mahoning County. He badly lost the Ohio primary to Gov. John Kasich, but he won in Mahoning County.
Political Anthropology: Outside Cleveland, Democrats are becoming Republicans - CNNPolitics.com
this county hasnt voted republican in a LONG time....but it seems people are fed up all over the country
Ohio, Virginia, Florida.....this election cycle keeps getting weirder and weirder
I keep expecting Rod Serling to pop out somewhere and welcome me to the twilight zone
Some of you youngsters may need google on that last reference
They wanted to join Donald Trump's party.
It turns out that registering is as easy as asking for a ballot on Ohio's primary day. So, he told them, just show up on March 15, and request a Republican ballot. So they did.
Trump's convention choice: Bring the party together or blow it apart
In Mahoning County, home to Youngstown, one of the great steel cities of the early 20th century, 6,171 Democrats did this. Fewer than 200 Republicans wanted to become Democrats.
"I looked at Republican turnout on election night and I saw 34,000 Republicans had voted," Monroe said. "I nearly fell off my chair because there were only 14- or 15,000 Republicans in Mahoning County."
Most shocking of all, is that 18 Democratic precinct captains -- local party officials in the county -- were among the switchers. Dave Betras, the county Democratic chair, summarily fired them.
"I just simply with the stroke of a pen removed them and filled their positions with other loyal Democrats," he said.
If Donald Trump can win Ohio in November, it'll be because of places like Mahoning County. He badly lost the Ohio primary to Gov. John Kasich, but he won in Mahoning County.
Political Anthropology: Outside Cleveland, Democrats are becoming Republicans - CNNPolitics.com
this county hasnt voted republican in a LONG time....but it seems people are fed up all over the country
Ohio, Virginia, Florida.....this election cycle keeps getting weirder and weirder
I keep expecting Rod Serling to pop out somewhere and welcome me to the twilight zone
Some of you youngsters may need google on that last reference