More than two months have passed since the 2024 presidential election, and many are still considering the results. Clearly, we remain a divided nation. Donald Trump convincingly defeated Kamala Harris in the Electoral College, 312 to 226, but the popular vote was just 1.5 percentage points, with Trump at 49.9% and Harris at 48.4%. .
By looking up election results on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, you can easily find the locations of the most pro-Trump and most pro-Harris communities in Minnesota. Comparing these two areas may shed light on why there are such differences in presidential policies.
Statewide, three of the precincts that voted most for Trump are in Morrison County, just east of Little Falls, along Minnesota Highway 25. Buckman, Boo, and Pierce townships voted an average of 91.55% for Trump, compared to an average of just 7.05%. I’m voting for Harris.
Bachman, a small working-class town of 312 people, is in the heart of Trump country. According to U.S. Census data, the median annual household income in the area is $82,500 and the median home value is $212,585. About 9.5% of the people there live below the poverty level. Additionally, 92.3% of the town’s residents have graduated from high school, while 23.8% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Upon visiting the people there, I found them to be very friendly and open. In particular, the people at the family-run Bachman Bank Tavern were very insightful and personable.
The tavern is housed in the old Bachman State Bank building, built in 1917, and the original bank vault still exists. In fact, the owners painted the front door to look like a bank vault door.
This tavern is an attractive place with countless neon signs, flags, and other sports and drink-related decorations. In many ways, it’s exactly what you imagine when you think of a traditional, no-frills bar, complete with comfy high-back stools, billiards, dart leagues and pull tabs.
Two flags displaying the community’s political leanings hang on the walls of the tavern. The back has red, white, and blue letters that say “Trump–2024–Make America Great Again!” Near the front of the flag is a flag with a picture of Gov. Tim Walz wearing a dunce hat and the message, “My governor is an idiot.”
Three of the districts that voted the most for Kamala Harris statewide are in Hennepin County, just east and south of Lake Harriet, in Minneapolis. In these precincts, an average of 91.33% voted for Harris and only 6.42% for Trump. Close to Lynhurst, King Field, and East Harriet.
With a population of 5,691 people, Lynhurst is a bustling upper-middle class neighborhood in the heart of Harris Country. According to census data, the area’s median annual household income is $177,490 and median home value is $651,372. About 3.3% of people there live below the poverty level. Additionally, 94.1% of the neighborhood residents have graduated from high school, while 65.1% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Upon visiting the people there, I found them to be very friendly and open. In particular, the people at the family-run George and the Dragon Public House were very insightful and helpful.
The pub is housed in a building built in 2010 that also houses upscale gift shop Patina and sophisticated and chic French bistro Saint Genevieve.
The pub is an inviting place with lots of soft wood tones, attractive colors and subtle lighting. The walls are decorated with beautiful paintings by local artists, making it feel like an art gallery. In many ways, it’s exactly what you imagine when you think of an eloquent restaurant with a chef, maître dre, and a boutique bar selling wine and craft beer.
There are two signs in the front window of the pub that indicate the political leanings of the community. One billboard features a photo of four diverse young people, one wearing a shirt that reads “#ICan’tBreath” and a large caption that reads, “No Justice, No Peace.” It’s dark. Another sign has the “World Central Kitchen” symbol and name, indicating that George and the Dragon is partnering with WCK to provide meals to those in need in the Twin Cities.
Just 150 miles apart, Bachman Bank Tavern and George and the Dragon Pub are mirror images of their respective communities. Bachman’s people are more decisive in that the choice should be simple, straightforward, traditional and clearly understood, while Lynhurst’s are more decisive because it is evolving and allows for multiple definitions. Recognizes shades of gray. For example, two toilets in a pub are labeled ‘men’s’ and ‘women’s’, while two toilets in a pub are labeled ‘unisex’.
Moreover, the cuisine of each of these regions encapsulates their fundamental differences. Izakaya’s simple, comforting dishes like chicken strips and mini corn dogs demonstrate a desire for unambiguous simplicity and clear politics, while Pub’s complex chicken Milanese and steak au poivres It shows an appetite for diverse, complex, and complex political perspectives.
The menu reflects the ideas of these two subcultures.
Dave Berger of Maple Grove is a retired sociology professor and freelance writer and author.
