In Chapter 8, Schaller and Waldman analyze the political dynamics and strategies in rural America, focusing on the Republican Party’s dominance and its impact on rural communities. The chapter begins with an example of Chip Roy, a Republican representing Texas’s 21st Congressional District. Roy’s district, redrawn to favor Republicans, reflects a broader trend where political gerrymandering ensures Republican victories, leading to a lack of competitive elections and accountability.

The authors argue that many politicians representing rural areas, like Roy, lack a specific rural agenda. Roy, an ideologue, focuses on national conservative issues such as illegal immigration and opposition to the Farm Bill, rather than addressing local concerns like healthcare, education, or infrastructure. This neglect is symptomatic of a broader issue where rural representatives often prioritize national ideological battles over practical, local solutions for their constituents.

The chapter highlights four foundational factors of rural America’s political strategy: economic dissatisfaction, elevated status as the “essential minority,” outsized electoral power, and manipulation by politicians. These factors keep rural Americans dissatisfied, allowing politicians to pander to their grievances without addressing their actual needs. The deep economic challenges faced by rural communities, including job losses, wage stagnation, and inadequate healthcare, contribute to widespread despair.