CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Both Presidential candidates are trying to map out their path to 270 electoral votes, and with the election just a week away, experts are saying Chesterfield County could become a "swing county.”
Lifelong Chesterfield resident Tom Myers said presidential campaign signs have been scarce here this election cycle, compared to years past.
But the Republican wants to make it clear who he's supporting by posting a Donald Trump sign in front of his business.
“My contractors work hard every day, and they are finding it harder and harder to make a living,” he said. “So we need somebody who will fight for us."
Republicans like Myers have long dominated Chesterfield Presidential politics, but experts say the political make up is changing as the county's population grows, and its residents become more diverse.
Cosby High School Senior Camille Okonkwo has canvassed Chesterfield for candidate Hillary Clinton. "I`m just glad more people are having an open mind here in Chesterfield," she said. "That`s what I love to see."
Harry Truman was the last Democrat to carry Chesterfield in 1948. Still, the margins of victory in several past presidential elections show that the GOP lead has slimmed.
"It's not quite a bellwether yet," said political expert Dr. Bob Holsworht. "I still expect Chesterfield to vote in a Republican direction."
"Chesterfield has become far more of a battleground simply because of the number of voters we now have in Chesterfield," he added.
Compared to 2008 when President Obama was voted in for his first term there are now more than 60,000 new registered voters combined in the City of Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico Counties.
A big part of that spike has to do with an increasing population. However, in Richmond and Chesterfield, there are more people registered to vote per capita than eight years ago.
