LODI, N.J. — In a stunning political reversal, Lodi, New Jersey—a traditionally Democratic stronghold—flipped Republican in the 2024 presidential election, marking a 25-point swing from Joe Biden’s 2020 performance. The Bergen County town, home to 26,000 residents, saw Republicans carry the vote for the first time in modern electoral history, shifting from a D+21 margin in 2020 to R+4 in 2024.

The results reflect a dramatic realignment in this blue-collar, heavily Hispanic (41%) and White (39%) community, which had remained reliably Democratic through the Obama, Clinton, and Biden years.

A Long-Running Democratic Stronghold Crumbles

Lodi had been a Democratic bastion for decades. In 2008, Barack Obama carried the town by 21 points, expanding that margin to 36 points in 2012. Even as Donald Trump made gains among working-class voters, the town remained solidly blue, with Hillary Clinton winning by 24 points in 2016 and Biden maintaining a 21-point edge in 2020.

But this year’s election tells a different story. The town, which has traditionally leaned Democratic due to its strong union presence and large immigrant population, saw a massive shift in voter sentiment, leading to the first Republican victory in recent memory.

What Changed?

Several factors appear to have contributed to Lodi’s political transformation:

• Economic Anxiety & Inflation: Residents, many of whom work in construction, transportation, and service industries, have been vocal about economic struggles, with inflation and rising cost-of-living concerns shifting their votes.
• Hispanic Voter Realignment: A national trend of Hispanic voters—especially working-class, Catholic, and small-business-owning families—moving toward the GOP appears to have taken hold in Lodi.
• Crime & Policing Concerns: While crime rates in Lodi itself remain relatively stable, concerns about urban spillover from nearby Paterson and Newark have influenced voter sentiment, echoing a broader trend of suburban worries over law enforcement and public safety.
• Republican Outreach Efforts: The GOP has aggressively courted blue-collar and Latino voters, investing in direct outreach and messaging tailored to economic and cultural concerns.
• Disillusionment with National Democrats: Many local voters expressed frustration with the Democratic Party’s national leadership, citing dissatisfaction with Biden’s handling of the economy, immigration, and foreign policy.

A Warning Sign for Democrats?

Lodi’s shift mirrors trends seen in other working-class, Hispanic-heavy areas nationwide. If Democrats fail to reverse course, similar swings could jeopardize their hold on key swing states in future elections.

As political analysts digest the implications of Lodi’s flip, one thing is clear: the Democratic Party can no longer take blue-collar suburban voters for granted.