In Pennsylvania, Joan London, an attorney from Berks County, recently made the decision to change her party registration from Republican to Independent after decades of GOP affiliation. London, who had been a Republican since she was 18, cited a shift in the party’s values and a move towards populism as reasons behind her departure.
London was one of many voters in the state who cast their primary ballots for Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor, as a protest vote against Donald Trump. Haley, who received nearly 17% of the primary vote statewide and around 25% in suburban collar counties around Philadelphia, represents a significant bloc of voters who may impact the outcome of the upcoming presidential election.
In a CNN interview, London expressed her disappointment in the current political landscape, stating, “I don’t see myself voting for Trump. I don’t see myself voting for Biden.” She plans to either skip the presidential line on the ballot or write in a conservative candidate to send a message that the Republican Party needs to move in a new direction.
Irma Fralic, another voter who supported Haley in the primary, echoed London’s sentiments, expressing a desire for a country that is normal and where people come together. Fralic, who is the daughter of Cuban immigrants and a staunch supporter of Israel, views Haley as tough and principled on foreign policy.
Linda Rooney, a woman from Media in suburban Delaware County, voted for Trump in 2016, Biden in 2020, and supported Haley in the primary. Rooney has ruled out voting for Biden again due to her concerns about the economy and the handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Like London and Fralic, she is undecided about how she will approach the 2024 election.
Michael Pesce, a long-time Republican from Bucks County, also voted for Haley in the primary and plans to support Biden over Trump in the upcoming election. Pesce, a Coast Guard veteran, cited Trump’s attempts to overthrow the government as a major factor in his decision to distance himself from the former president.
Overall, these voters represent a significant portion of Pennsylvania Republicans who are disillusioned with the current political landscape and are seeking a change in direction for the party. Their support for Haley in the primary underscores the desire for a conservative leader who aligns with their values and principles.
