Although Massachusetts is a safe Democratic state and therefore not a crucial battleground at this election, the 8,000-population town of Westminster is a bellwether community that tends to swing with the national winner.
In 2016, when Trump first won the White House, Westminster backed the controversial businessman with 2,165 votes over 1,958 for his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. But in 2020, when current President Joe Biden beat Trump nation-wide, Westminster plumped for the winner again, by 2,665 votes to 2,477.
This schism is one of the few similarities between Westminster, Massachusetts, and its namesake more than 3,000 miles around the world: the political epicenter of the U.K. in London.
“In town it’s pretty split,” said a Westminster U.S. store owner who declined to be named. “I don’t think people are ripping each others’ faces off, but it’s definitely politically charged out there.”
Numerous residents blame the media for stoking similar divides across the States, while admitting to seeking outlets aligned with their own opinions to receive the news.
O’Toole watches pundits on Fox News, but Howland demands a change of channel if Fox is playing in the bars she visits.
