Kingsport Voters Stick With Trump as Iran War Drives Gas Above $4
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 12
Kingsport Voters Stick With Trump as Iran War Drives Gas Above $4
1 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 12
Summary
Kingsport, Tennessee voters showed strong loyalty to Donald Trump in local elections last week even as his national approval sank to 32% amid the Iran war and rising living costs.
Gas prices above $4 a gallon and higher grocery bills are hurting residents, but many in the munitions town blame Congress, advisers or the war itself rather than Trump.
Holston Army Ammunition Plant — employing about 1,000 people and supplying key explosive components — reinforces local support for military action that many residents call necessary despite Trump's past "no more wars" pledge.
Social conservatism also helps lock in Republican backing: only one Democrat appeared on the local ballot, and many voters said abortion, socialism and "woke" issues outweigh economic frustrations.
Younger and liberal residents reported some erosion in Trump's support, but they still described Kingsport's broader political culture as overwhelmingly conservative and resistant to major change.