State-specific election gaffes

[The Arizonan]

This is the thread in which you list things that would be considered gaffes specifically in that state.

Here are some:

Indiana - Not being familiar with the term “basketball hoop” or not being very knowledgeable about basketball in general.

Massachusetts - Not knowing that Curt Schilling played for the Red Sox.

Nevada - Pronouncing the name of the state as “Neh-vaa-daa” not “Neh-vad-duh”.

[Roll Roons]

Apparently, being a Red Sox fan in New York City isn't disqualifying for mayoral candidates.

[Oregon Eagle Politics]

Saying Illinois as "ill-in-oys" instead of "ill-in-oy"

[Roll Roons]

Hawaii: Being a Republican
Wyoming: Being a Democrat

[PAK Man]

If you're a Democrat in Illinois and want to win a statewide primary, do not vote for pension reform. Daniel Biss learned this the hard way in 2018. That vote dogged him throughout the campaign and I think it was the reason he didn't win the primary. Younger people in my generation didn't really care about it (he had huge support from people my age) but older voters would always tell people, "Remember - he voted to take away our pensions." Biss later disavowed the vote, and while he did actually finish better than Chris Kennedy, he would never have won the primary.

[Xing]

Worshington should be one.

[Donerail]

The foolish guac merchant acted nonplussed when the great WALKIN LAWTON assailed him with folksy nonsense at a debate, signaling to the Cracker population that he was not one of them. It was a different era — could not be replicated today — but, nevertheless, the best example of a state-specific gaffe that I believe decided an election.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

The foolish guac merchant acted nonplussed when the great WALKIN LAWTON assailed him with folksy nonsense at a debate, signaling to the Cracker population that he was not one of them. It was a different era — could not be replicated today — but, nevertheless, the best example of a state-specific gaffe that I believe decided an election.

The old he-coon walked before the light of day.

[Crumpets]

Washington:

Not knowing who JP Patches is and being able to make references to his show, even if it went off the air 10 years before you were born.

Referring to "the" I-5  or "the I" 405 is a sure sign of a carpetbagger, and probably a California transplant.

Saying something like "Copper River salmon is overrated." (I imagine this counts for Alaska too, but I can't say for certain)

Saying bigfoot definitely doesn't exist could probably make the difference in a close election, since I suspect believers are probably in the double digits here percent-wise.

Not knowing Kurt Cobain is from Aberdeen, not Seattle would definitely doom you on the coast.

And one weird "too" local thing would probably be calling the South Lake Union Streetcar "the SLUT," which is what everyone in Seattle calls it, but it probably wouldn't translate well to a non-Seattle audience.

[Mr. Matt]

New York: Eating pizza with a fork should be one but a lot of pols seem to get away with it (though 2 of 3 pictured didn't actually win the state nor city and the last one probably wouldn't now; sources linked at images)

[John Forbes Kerrygold 🧈]

If you're a Democrat in Illinois and want to win a statewide primary, do not vote for pension reform. Daniel Biss learned this the hard way in 2018. That vote dogged him throughout the campaign and I think it was the reason he didn't win the primary. Younger people in my generation didn't really care about it (he had huge support from people my age) but older voters would always tell people, "Remember - he voted to take away our pensions." Biss later disavowed the vote, and while he did actually finish better than Chris Kennedy, he would never have won the primary.

God, I loved Daniel Biss. The only authentic candidate on that stage by a mile.

[Figueira]

Indiana - Not being familiar with the term “basketball hoop” or not being very knowledgeable about basketball in general.

Also using the word "Indianan"

[Hope For A New Era]

You can say Missouri or Missoura, but be consistent about it. People really don't like it if you say it both ways. It comes off as obvious pandering. Just very fake and insincere. Populist Missouri hates that.

Unless you're Jay Nixon, apparently.

[beesley]

Massachusetts: Saying that you wouldn't want to shake hands with people outside Fenway Park.

[LabourJersey]

New York: Eating pizza with a fork should be one but a lot of pols seem to get away with it (though 2 of 3 pictured didn't actually win the state nor city and the last one probably wouldn't now; sources linked at images)

I think the fork-eating here is more of a consequence of pols shaking so many hands. You don't want greasy hands when you're leaving the place or meeting people at the next campaign stop, and maybe not have time to wash your hands?

[Drew]

Another one for Illinois, at least in Chicagoland: putting ketchup on a hotdog: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/raunerhot-dog/2000051/

[Born to Slay. Forced to Work.]

South Carolina: not going to the fish fry

[Torrain]

US: politicians must be photographed eating local food to seem approachable.
UK: politicians must avoid being photographed eating food at all costs.

[ctherainbow]

PA candidate depending on SEPA to win statewide:  “Sheetz is better than Wawa”

PA candidate depending on non-SEPA to win statewide:  “Wawa is better than Sheetz”

[Non Swing Voter]

Well apparently one of the NYC mayoral candidate said the median home price in Brooklyn is $80,000-90,000.  Even as someone who lives nowhere near Brooklyn I know that's an asinine response.