Vice President Kamala Harris faces significant hurdles in her presidential campaign, particularly in winning over white working-class Catholic voters in Pennsylvania. Unlike President Joe Biden, known as "Joe from Scranton," Harris lacks personal ties to the area, complicating her outreach.

Beyond personal connections, Harris’s stance on issues like abortion, especially post-Dobbs decision, has drawn criticism from Catholic groups, reflecting a disconnect with traditional Catholic values that could hinder her support.

Phil Condron, a local advertising executive, underscores Harris's challenges: "We don’t have the Catholic connection with Harris. We don’t have the local connection with Harris," highlighting the difficulties she faces in matching Biden’s past success in Pennsylvania.

Political Landscape Alters in Keystone State

Shifts in voter alignment are evident in places like Scranton, where traditionally Democratic voters are increasingly turning Republican. Vince Galko, a regional political analyst, notes, "There are so many Democrats here because they grew up Democrat and they’re still registered Democrat, but they’re voting more Republican." This reflects a broader national trend of cultural and social issues reshaping party loyalties.

Polls show Harris trailing Trump among white Catholics nationally, foreshadowing potential struggles in key states like Pennsylvania.

"My strong sense is that Kamala will not do as well as Biden did … [among] those very Catholic voting blocs of the old school, especially Irish Catholics up in Lackawanna," said Jim Bognet, highlighting skepticism from local Catholic communities and Harris’s lack of Biden’s personal appeal, encapsulated by his relatable "Joe from Scranton" persona.

Enthusiasm for Trump Surges Among Local Voters

Bognet has noted a surge of support for Trump in his church community, contrasting with the lukewarm response to Harris. This enthusiasm could drive strong voter turnout for Trump, leveraging his connections and appeal to the community's values.

Harris’s broad appeal strategy may falter due to her lack of ties to the Catholic community and controversial stances on issues like abortion, potentially alienating voters seeking candidates who align more closely with their beliefs.

Condron adds, "So, there’s no reason to believe that she can approach the numbers that Biden was able to get when he ran last time," highlighting a critical gap in Harris’s campaign strategy without Biden’s personal and religious connections.

Scranton’s Shifting Political Allegiances

Galko’s observations on Scranton’s shifting political landscape reflect the broader challenges Harris faces nationally. He notes that while many still identify as Catholics, their adherence to traditional practices is waning.

"There are still people who grew up Catholic and say they’re Catholic, but probably haven’t been to church in years or aren’t raising their families in any kind of Catholic tradition," Galko explained, highlighting the changing identity of Catholic voters.

This shift could significantly impact Harris’s campaign strategies, revealing the complexities of targeting traditionally Democratic blocs in Pennsylvania.