Are State capitols Democratic strongholds? (Alabama, Sacramento, Denver, compared)

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

I read somewhere (though I can’t find the article) that Trump won the majority of votes in only three state capitol cities in 2016. If true, that means the residents of many “red state” capitols favor Democrats.

[Drewjdeg]

This thread is probably going to turn into a bunch of vague character attacks on Democrats and government workers.

[Quick Enough]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

I read somewhere (though I can’t find the article) that Trump won the majority of votes in only three state capitol cities in 2016. If true, that means the residents of many “red state” capitols favor Democrats.

Look it up THEN comeback!

[green_mariner]

It depends. Capitals like Sacramento, Boston, Denver, St. Paul, these are Democratic strongholds. They are larger cities within liberal states. They reflect the politics of their respective states.

Topeka, Oklahoma City, these are not Democratic strongholds. Topeka is a smaller size city in a Republican state. Oklahoma City, well, the state of Oklahoma is conservative in most places except for areas with large Native American populations. Oklahoma City is the largest city in Oklahoma. It is also an oil city.

Cheyenne,Wyoming can never be mistaken for a Democratic stronghold. The state of Wyoming is Republican. Cheyenne is just a reflection of that. It is also a small city, with a population of about 63,000. Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, all are Republican states with capital cities that are not Democratic. They have something else in common. Their capital cities are small cities. The largest cities for 3 three aforementioned states are far from the capital cities.


The Deep South has an interesting situation. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, these are all Republican states. Their capital cities are Democratic cities. The capitals of the respective states are either majority Black, or have a Black population of 40% or more.

Texas and Tennessee have a similar political situation. Both have capital cities that are VERY large cities (Austin and Nashville respectively). Both cities are large collegiate centers. Both cities have their own "weirdness" cultures and strong music scenes. Both are liberal islands within conservative states. They are basically their respective states' version of Portland(albeit Portland basically dominates Oregon).

[pete98146]

Seemingly magnets for blue hair!!!!!

[jas75]

Some capital cities vote to the right of their states at-large. Jefferson City, MO; Springfield, IL; and Carson City, NV are a few examples. But virtually every other capital is about the same, more Democratic or less Republican compared to the state where they are located. I think these exceptions are a result of having large non-capital cities that are considerably more liberal than other areas of the state (St. Louis/Kansas City, Chicago, Las Vegas).