I think this is what a lot of ex-mining counties would vote like if they weren’t put off by the Democrats’ support for greener energy (copper is obviously much more conducive than coal in this regard as already mentioned), and instead focused more on the environmental degradation caused by the mining companies. They are also two of the most Irish-American counties west of the Mississippi, for what it’s worth.
a) Mining has been unviable there for decades now, so, unlike in Appalachia, there is no prospect of bringing it back which compels them to vote Republican.
b) Mining led to severe environmental degradation there, so voters are actually support Democratic environmental policies.
c) More generally, the Anaconda Company was absolutely despised by the workers and residents, with a history of labour conflict; this class-based voting seems to persist to this day.
