Why is Cole county, MO so republican?

[nclib]

It is understood that counties with the capital cities are very much democratic, this one stands out. Why?

Not all county capitals are in Blue counties. Carson City and Boise for instance are in red turf, but in 49 of the 50 states, the capital city still has the familiar blue core. It's just that in a few states the suburbs or rural area incorporated in the county outvotes the city, which itself sometimes small like in Kentucky.

Missouri though still is unique even on the granular view. Cole county only has 7 small blue precincts, most which are marginal. This is still bluer than the average MO county, Galloway carried it when she won in 2018, but it's still far far redder than the average capital city.

This isn't an answer, it's just expanding upon the question.

Do you mean Kentucky is the exception? Or Missouri?

Even though there are plenty of counties containing the capital city, that voted Repub, very few capital cities themselves vote Repub. IIRC, these are Oklahoma City, Cheyenne, Bismarck, Pierre. Even Charleston, WV voted for Hillary. All of those states are much more Republican than MO. Could it be that the KC/STL areas don't have much connection with rural Missouri (which is extremely Repub despite the overall state).

[nclib]

Not all county capitals are in Blue counties. Carson City and Boise for instance are in red turf, but

Carson City is actually an independent city.

It is understood that counties with the capital cities are very much democratic, this one stands out. Why?

Not all county capitals are in Blue counties. Carson City and Boise for instance are in red turf, but in 49 of the 50 states, the capital city still has the familiar blue core. It's just that in a few states the suburbs or rural area incorporated in the county outvotes the city, which itself sometimes small like in Kentucky.

Missouri though still is unique even on the granular view. Cole county only has 7 small blue precincts, most which are marginal. This is still bluer than the average MO county, Galloway carried it when she won in 2018, but it's still far far redder than the average capital city.

This isn't an answer, it's just expanding upon the question.

Do you mean Kentucky is the exception? Or Missouri?

Even though there are plenty of counties containing the capital city, that voted Repub, very few capital cities themselves vote Repub. IIRC, these are Oklahoma City, Cheyenne, Bismarck, Pierre. Even Charleston, WV voted for Hillary. All of those states are much more Republican than MO. Could it be that the KC/STL areas don't have much connection with rural Missouri (which is extremely Repub despite the overall state).

I should add Carson City to that list. I suppose this is due to the population and "Democraticness" is so concentrated in Clark and Washoe County, and Carson City is still less Repub than rural Nevada.