Editors Note: This story was published before all election results were reported.
Schuylkill County voters showed overwhelming support for Donald Trump on Tuesday.
The Republican presidential nominee won all 125 precincts in Schuylkill County, according to the unofficial results Tuesday night. He received 43,937 votes in the county compared to 16,724 for Clinton.
“I think the people of Schuylkill County were ready for a leader who has a strong business background and is an outsider,” Brock Stein, who was recently selected county GOP chairman Saturday, said. “The people of Schuylkill County were indicative of the country. Voter enthusiasm was unprecedented in recent history.”
Trump even inspired some county residents to vote for the first time Tuesday or switch political parties before the election.
“Trump all the way!” Carlene Viars, Orwigsburg, said before entering the polls at borough hall Tuesday.
It was the first time the 53-year-old has ever voted.
“I think he is going to change things,” Viars said.
Originally a registered Democrat coming out of high school, Dan Harley, Wayne Township, said he switched to Republican prior to the election. Harley said he supported Trump more than the previous candidates that had his vote.
“It’s been a while since I liked my choice,” Harley said. “It’s not that I changed, but I think the party has changed.”
He said that while it is good to know all the controversies and scandals surrounding both presidential candidates, they have overshadowed some more important issues. Harley said he supports Trump’s stances on immigration, the Affordable Care Act and restructuring the tax code.
“It is something unlike anything I’ve ever seen in an election,” Mary Beth Dougherty, state Republican committee member, said about voter turnout. “Without a doubt it is because of Trump. I think people are so fed up with what is being done in this country and the average working person is sick of getting the short end of the stick. I think this was a movement against that.”
Nick and Judy Shestok also showed up at borough hall to cast their votes for Trump.
“Because we are tired of what the Democrats are doing and we like what he plans to do,” Judy said.
Nick said abortion was a major issue that factored into how they voted and that Clinton can not be trusted.
“The woman should be in jail because she put our national security in jeopardy,” Nick said.
Outside the Schuylkill Haven Neighborhood and Senior Citizens Center, Tara Williams said she voted for Trump “because I agree with his views and positions more than Hillary.” She said that many people in the area agree with Trump on the issues that are important to them, like taxes and gun control.
Shirley Lengel and her son, Jeff Bromwell, both came out to vote for Trump.
Lengel said that she was originally going to vote for Clinton and then wasn’t sure if she even wanted to vote at all.
“I just hope I am doing the right thing,” Lengel said. “I don’t like the way Trump talks, so I hope he cleans his act up.”
“If he can get the things done that he said he would, then I think it is good for the country,” she said.
Bromwell said that he was not a fan of Clinton.
“I just think we need a change,” he said.
Bromwell said he voted for President Barack Obama but does not believe he delivered on his promise of change.
“I proudly voted for Donald Trump,” Randall Blunk, Schuylkill Haven, said.
An Army veteran, Blunk said he stands with Trump’s plan to restrengthen the military, simplify taxes and make sure veterans are taken care of.
“I don’t think Hillary Clinton is trustworthy,” he said. “I think two FBI investigations speak loudly. It is time to get rid of the good old boys in Washington and time for a fresh start.”