For 85-year-old Pennsylvania farmer George Wherry, fracking for natural gas under his otherwise peaceful fields provides greater economic freedom. This is one reason he’s planning to vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a method used to extract fossil fuels from deep underground. Pennsylvania, rich in natural gas and a key swing state, sees both Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris vying for support. Harris, who previously supported a fracking ban in 2019, now faces skepticism from voters in areas where fracking is prominent.
Wherry and his daughter, Diana Petrie, who recently moved back from Colorado, support Trump. They believe in his stance on fracking and see it as beneficial for their farm. Their 360-acre farm in Washington County, where Trump received over 60% of the vote in 2016 and 2020, benefits from the royalties of three deep fracking wells.
Fracking has been controversial due to environmental and health concerns. Despite this, many in Pennsylvania, especially those who have benefited from the industry, support it. A 2022 poll showed 48% of Pennsylvanians are in favor of fracking, with over 85% believing it is important for the state’s economy.
In Washington County, Trump’s support for fracking resonates strongly. For example, August Michel, who runs a lemonade business and voted for Trump before, plans to do so again. On the other hand, Laura Jean Kahl, who sells produce, is voting for Harris because she is not Trump. Kahl is concerned about the environmental impact of fracking but feels it is unlikely to change significantly even with a new administration.
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