The political analysis company “fivethirtyeight.com” uses statistics and other empirical data to determine the current state of affairs in politics. In a study looking at partisan segregation, that is, how we sort ourselves based on our political beliefs, the map above shows our current political segregation. Even though Knoxville is the focus, we can see Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, and Clinton and how red/blue each area is based on 2016 voting. Deep red areas in Anderson County show Clinton and Oliver Springs being very red while Oak Ridge is light blue. This accurately reflects the county’s voting pattern where Republicans capture the Clinton population center and Democrats have a slight majority in the Oak Ridge population center.

The 2018 election results bear this out with several Oak Ridge precincts flipping from red to blue while Clinton remained deep red. Of course, the rural counties remain red so the county itself is strongly Republican. However, the blue is widening ever so slowly. The county is becoming more diverse (like the rest of the United States) and the Baby Boomers are aging out. Despite the current red stain across the county, the blue areas keep on expanding. So what does all this mean?

It means we are running a long race (even longer than the Game of Thrones!) with the finish line seemingly far away. It means we must be wise as we strategize, knowing the end game will ultimately give the Democrats electoral victory. It means we must remember that our compassionate brand of politics, one that will provide education, decent wages, good housing and health care to the electorate will eventually break though the Republican policies that degrade all of those for its people.

Finally, it means a dogged perseverance that never gives up and continues fighting the good fight. It is a long fight…hard and tough against a party that distorts truth for political gain…but we must carry on.