American Politics Are Changing: Insights from the Campaign Trail.
Politics Editor David Siders has been on a nationwide journey to document the transformation of American politics from the grassroots level. Here’s what a few of the individuals he encountered are contemplating as we approach 2025.
TroibNews 
Over the past two years, during my coverage of a series titled “Road Trip,” I encountered a pervasive sense of gloom among nearly everyone I spoke with — from local party leaders and elected officials to everyday voters across the political spectrum. As the election approached, their anxiety only heightened, particularly with the looming specter of a 50-50 election and the potential consequences if their chosen candidate lost.
Now that we have the results, I've checked back with many of these individuals to gauge their feelings post-election and as we transition into a new year. Public sentiment has indeed changed following Donald Trump’s victory, with Republicans feeling more optimistic about the economy and upcoming elections, while Democrats find themselves in a state of disarray.
Despite this shift, members from both parties remain deeply uneasy about what lies ahead. Republicans are concerned about the possibility of Democrats or “RINOs” undermining Trump’s agenda or the risk of backlash in the midterms in 2026. Conversely, Democrats fear the prospect of Trump achieving any of his ambitious goals.
“Nothing coming down the pike is going to be good, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it,” recounted Dave Nagle, a former representative from Iowa, during a recent conversation at his law office in Waterloo. Yet he remains hopeful: “The positive is [that] in a democracy, you have the right to challenge conventional wisdom.” He believes that with Trump at the helm, “the way we think government should be conducted is going to be radically changed.” As he aptly put it, “we’re going to find out whether they’re right or not.”
Republicans perceive a transformative moment with a president-elect who has the backing of the popular vote and, having completed one term, a more adept strategy for navigating Washington. Bill Bailey, who sells Trump merchandise at rallies nationwide, expressed optimism: “The MAGA movement, Trump and the conservatives are so much better off today, now, than had he actually won in 2020. I think he’s better poised now to accomplish some very good things.”
The “Road Trip” series aims to provide insights into American politics from a grassroots perspective — examining how parties and voters feel, act, and evolve at the local level, beyond the confines of Washington. It is crucial to observe that it was in seven swing states where Trump mapped his return to power, and it is there that the future of America will unfold during Trump’s new term and beyond. As Nagle remarked before we concluded our conversation, “Let’s find out.”
**Albert Lea, Minnesota**
In Albert Lea, Minnesota, Bill Salier, a conservative, criticized the state’s governor, Tim Walz, as a “phony” and shared his perspective: “I’m optimistic that there’s been kind of an awakening since Covid. It might have been slow, but I think people are becoming more aware that government is not the solution, but is the cause of many of our problems.”
**Tempe, Arizona**
Bill Bailey voiced concerns about the longevity of the MAGA movement when I met him outside a Trump rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona: “The MAGA movement, Trump and the conservatives are so much better off today, now, than had he actually won in 2020 … He had a lot of RINOs he was dealing with after the midterms in ‘18, had a lot of RINOs after he had lost the election in 2020 … I think he’s better poised now to accomplish some very good things.”
**El Paso, Texas**
Judy Gutierrez, an independent who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the El Paso city council, reflected on the Latino support for Trump: “My people put Trump in office, man. The Latinos came out strong for him … Because people are frustrated, people are tired. The Democratic Party failed us.”
Steve Ortega, a former Democratic city council member in El Paso, acknowledged internal party challenges: “The Democratic Party in particular has a long look in the mirror that’s forthcoming when it relates to how Hispanics are treated … They are losing voters at a record pace.”
**Colorado Springs, Colorado**
Dick Wadhams, a former Colorado Republican Party chair, shared his insights from our meeting in Denver regarding the political landscape: “When he won, I think it kind of set the stage for what’s going to be another bad midterm for Republicans. I hate to say it, but I think that’s the case.”
**Omaha, Nebraska**
Crystal Rhoades, a former Douglas County Democratic Party chair now serving as the county’s elected clerk, described her response to recent political events: “My reaction to trauma is just to dig in and control the things I can control. So Omaha worked really hard on turnout, we actually did deliver the blue dot for Kamala. What I’ve been telling everyone that has asked is, ‘OK, we’re going to put a little blue dome over our blue dot, and we’re going to wait for the storm to pass. We’re going to be really aggressive about taking control of our local offices in Omaha, so that there’s a safe haven between Chicago and Denver, and we’re going to do everything we can to protect the folks who are here until the sun starts shining again. It’s the only thing we can do, and it’s our best defense.’”
**Waterloo, Iowa**
Dave Nagle shared his thoughts on the future of democracy: “Nothing coming down the pike is going to be good, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it … Conventional wisdom, the way we think government should be conducted, is going to be radically changed, and then we’re going to find out whether they’re right or not … We think it’ll be a disaster, of course, but democracy puts that challenge right in front of you.”
**Las Vegas, Nevada**
Danielle Gallant, a Republican state assemblymember from Henderson, emphasized the need for Republicans to re-engage with the public: “The left was very successful the last four years in bringing a negative connotation to MAGA, and I think they lost that battle the day that Elon Musk came out in support [of Trump], because now all of a sudden it just became punk rock to be Republican.”
**Columbia, South Carolina**
Democratic strategist Marcurius Byrd expressed concern about his party’s approach to inclusivity: “Democrats have found more ways to ostracize people out of being Democrats than welcoming people in … That’s something we’ve got to adjust strategies for, especially in some of our redder states … I was prepared, but I am a Democrat who actually has Republican friends.”
**San Francisco, California**
Progressive activist Mary Carter emphasized the importance of listening to opposing viewpoints: “I want to be able to listen to people that voted another way, even though I find this very difficult. I would really like to know because I don’t associate with anyone who voted the other way. So I need to listen, and I am trying to listen carefully to people.”
**Ripon, Wisconsin**
Timothy Bachleitner, a Republican Party leader, voiced concern about the current direction of the party: “The overarching picture of right versus left and liberal versus conservative, super excited about that … [But] he’s gained so much support from different groups of people he no longer needs the conservative Christians to do what he needs to do, so they’ve been thrown under the bus. He’s got the RFK, and he’s got the Tulsi Gabbard and Elon Musk and Joe Rogan — and that whole kind of independent individual has become full steam to allow him to say I no longer need to cater to a big part of my base, and I happen to be in that portion. So that breaks my heart.”
**Phoenix, Arizona**
Mac Rojo, a retired sheriff’s detective, insisted that Republicans should maintain their strong stance: “will be a good start. But you’ve got the RINOs that are trying to subvert him and go against him.”
Sally Kizer, who co-founded a tea party group in Arizona’s Yuma County, expressed her concerns about ongoing challenges for Trump: “I just don’t think the Democrats are through giving him a hard time, and I think that’ll go on for the next four years. Who knows what the Democrats will try to do ... it’s scary. We pray for him all the time that he is safe.”
**Concord, New Hampshire**
Arnie Arnesen, a liberal radio host and former New Hampshire state legislator, lamented the current state of government: “Nobody has courage anymore ... I feel like people have been broken by Donald Trump, and I’m angry. I’m angry. I want them to find their spine.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Now that we have the results, I've checked back with many of these individuals to gauge their feelings post-election and as we transition into a new year. Public sentiment has indeed changed following Donald Trump’s victory, with Republicans feeling more optimistic about the economy and upcoming elections, while Democrats find themselves in a state of disarray.
Despite this shift, members from both parties remain deeply uneasy about what lies ahead. Republicans are concerned about the possibility of Democrats or “RINOs” undermining Trump’s agenda or the risk of backlash in the midterms in 2026. Conversely, Democrats fear the prospect of Trump achieving any of his ambitious goals.
“Nothing coming down the pike is going to be good, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it,” recounted Dave Nagle, a former representative from Iowa, during a recent conversation at his law office in Waterloo. Yet he remains hopeful: “The positive is [that] in a democracy, you have the right to challenge conventional wisdom.” He believes that with Trump at the helm, “the way we think government should be conducted is going to be radically changed.” As he aptly put it, “we’re going to find out whether they’re right or not.”
Republicans perceive a transformative moment with a president-elect who has the backing of the popular vote and, having completed one term, a more adept strategy for navigating Washington. Bill Bailey, who sells Trump merchandise at rallies nationwide, expressed optimism: “The MAGA movement, Trump and the conservatives are so much better off today, now, than had he actually won in 2020. I think he’s better poised now to accomplish some very good things.”
The “Road Trip” series aims to provide insights into American politics from a grassroots perspective — examining how parties and voters feel, act, and evolve at the local level, beyond the confines of Washington. It is crucial to observe that it was in seven swing states where Trump mapped his return to power, and it is there that the future of America will unfold during Trump’s new term and beyond. As Nagle remarked before we concluded our conversation, “Let’s find out.”
**Albert Lea, Minnesota**
In Albert Lea, Minnesota, Bill Salier, a conservative, criticized the state’s governor, Tim Walz, as a “phony” and shared his perspective: “I’m optimistic that there’s been kind of an awakening since Covid. It might have been slow, but I think people are becoming more aware that government is not the solution, but is the cause of many of our problems.”
**Tempe, Arizona**
Bill Bailey voiced concerns about the longevity of the MAGA movement when I met him outside a Trump rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona: “The MAGA movement, Trump and the conservatives are so much better off today, now, than had he actually won in 2020 … He had a lot of RINOs he was dealing with after the midterms in ‘18, had a lot of RINOs after he had lost the election in 2020 … I think he’s better poised now to accomplish some very good things.”
**El Paso, Texas**
Judy Gutierrez, an independent who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the El Paso city council, reflected on the Latino support for Trump: “My people put Trump in office, man. The Latinos came out strong for him … Because people are frustrated, people are tired. The Democratic Party failed us.”
Steve Ortega, a former Democratic city council member in El Paso, acknowledged internal party challenges: “The Democratic Party in particular has a long look in the mirror that’s forthcoming when it relates to how Hispanics are treated … They are losing voters at a record pace.”
**Colorado Springs, Colorado**
Dick Wadhams, a former Colorado Republican Party chair, shared his insights from our meeting in Denver regarding the political landscape: “When he won, I think it kind of set the stage for what’s going to be another bad midterm for Republicans. I hate to say it, but I think that’s the case.”
**Omaha, Nebraska**
Crystal Rhoades, a former Douglas County Democratic Party chair now serving as the county’s elected clerk, described her response to recent political events: “My reaction to trauma is just to dig in and control the things I can control. So Omaha worked really hard on turnout, we actually did deliver the blue dot for Kamala. What I’ve been telling everyone that has asked is, ‘OK, we’re going to put a little blue dome over our blue dot, and we’re going to wait for the storm to pass. We’re going to be really aggressive about taking control of our local offices in Omaha, so that there’s a safe haven between Chicago and Denver, and we’re going to do everything we can to protect the folks who are here until the sun starts shining again. It’s the only thing we can do, and it’s our best defense.’”
**Waterloo, Iowa**
Dave Nagle shared his thoughts on the future of democracy: “Nothing coming down the pike is going to be good, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it … Conventional wisdom, the way we think government should be conducted, is going to be radically changed, and then we’re going to find out whether they’re right or not … We think it’ll be a disaster, of course, but democracy puts that challenge right in front of you.”
**Las Vegas, Nevada**
Danielle Gallant, a Republican state assemblymember from Henderson, emphasized the need for Republicans to re-engage with the public: “The left was very successful the last four years in bringing a negative connotation to MAGA, and I think they lost that battle the day that Elon Musk came out in support [of Trump], because now all of a sudden it just became punk rock to be Republican.”
**Columbia, South Carolina**
Democratic strategist Marcurius Byrd expressed concern about his party’s approach to inclusivity: “Democrats have found more ways to ostracize people out of being Democrats than welcoming people in … That’s something we’ve got to adjust strategies for, especially in some of our redder states … I was prepared, but I am a Democrat who actually has Republican friends.”
**San Francisco, California**
Progressive activist Mary Carter emphasized the importance of listening to opposing viewpoints: “I want to be able to listen to people that voted another way, even though I find this very difficult. I would really like to know because I don’t associate with anyone who voted the other way. So I need to listen, and I am trying to listen carefully to people.”
**Ripon, Wisconsin**
Timothy Bachleitner, a Republican Party leader, voiced concern about the current direction of the party: “The overarching picture of right versus left and liberal versus conservative, super excited about that … [But] he’s gained so much support from different groups of people he no longer needs the conservative Christians to do what he needs to do, so they’ve been thrown under the bus. He’s got the RFK, and he’s got the Tulsi Gabbard and Elon Musk and Joe Rogan — and that whole kind of independent individual has become full steam to allow him to say I no longer need to cater to a big part of my base, and I happen to be in that portion. So that breaks my heart.”
**Phoenix, Arizona**
Mac Rojo, a retired sheriff’s detective, insisted that Republicans should maintain their strong stance: “will be a good start. But you’ve got the RINOs that are trying to subvert him and go against him.”
Sally Kizer, who co-founded a tea party group in Arizona’s Yuma County, expressed her concerns about ongoing challenges for Trump: “I just don’t think the Democrats are through giving him a hard time, and I think that’ll go on for the next four years. Who knows what the Democrats will try to do ... it’s scary. We pray for him all the time that he is safe.”
**Concord, New Hampshire**
Arnie Arnesen, a liberal radio host and former New Hampshire state legislator, lamented the current state of government: “Nobody has courage anymore ... I feel like people have been broken by Donald Trump, and I’m angry. I’m angry. I want them to find their spine.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
