MD Governor Primary

[DINGO Joe]

Warning sign for Democrats: While overall turnout was up 12% from the 2014 gubernatorial primary, the increase was concentrated in only 9 counties, with the counties around the D.C. metropolitan area making up almost all of it. 15 counties saw declines in turnout, including every county on the Eastern Shore. It's similar to what we saw in Virginia with Northam's win heavily on the backs of metropolitan areas. The party's infrastructure in non-metropolitan areas continues to atrophy.

Northam won less counties than McAuliffe did but managed to win by a far wider margin and win many more legislative districts as a result. I think any sane person would opt for the Northam coalition every time

Also, like VA and elsewhere, many of these rural counties are losing population and voters

[DINGO Joe]

Weird question, but does anyone else think Ben Jealous looks white?

Not really. His hair gives him away as either black or Jewish.

Not sure what's special about his hair. He looks a lot like my Sicilian dad in his 40s.

What, you never heard about Sicilians?

[DINGO Joe]

Warning sign for Democrats: While overall turnout was up 12% from the 2014 gubernatorial primary, the increase was concentrated in only 9 counties, with the counties around the D.C. metropolitan area making up almost all of it. 15 counties saw declines in turnout, including every county on the Eastern Shore. It's similar to what we saw in Virginia with Northam's win heavily on the backs of metropolitan areas. The party's infrastructure in non-metropolitan areas continues to atrophy.

Democrats are becoming more and more the party of the cities. Future elections, at all levels, will see Democratic-dominated urban and suburban areas up against vast swathes of rural Republican territory. This makes maps far less interesting than in the past.

Given the age and population trends of these rural counties, it doesn't seem to be a particularly good strategy for Republicans.