Understanding the Red Vote in the North Country

As a SLU Summer Fellow, I conducted research under the instruction of Dr. Zeyno Ustun for my upcoming SYE thesis, Understanding the Red Vote in the North Country. This project examined the shift of the North Country from its once bipartisan spirit to current MAGA allegiance, with St. Lawrence County as a notable case of democratic decline in a once reliably blue region. My research this summer culminated in a literature review that analyzed how regional histories, digital media, and class relations shape the social identity of the Trump voter. In addition to researching existing literature, I completed a background and context review of the North Country including its economic, political, and social history.  

Thanks to this fellowship, I learned invaluable research, analysis, and academic writing skills. This time was foundational in transforming my research question into a long-term project, as I established the introduction, literature review, background, and methods sections of my thesis. I also defined my interview sample base and prepared IRB materials for interviews to be completed in fall 2026. The mentorship I received was instrumental not only to my academic development but also to my professional growth, providing opportunities to strengthen my interviewing skills and build meaningful professional connections that will support both this project and future opportunities.