BEAVER, Pennsylvania — Seven months ago, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State, Democrats still held a lead over Republicans regarding voter registration in this southwestern Pennsylvania county that, for generations, was the heart of the working-class voter.

The men and women who live here were undeniably the all-important cog in the New Deal Democratic coalition. They worked in the steel mills, fabrication plants, railroads, barber shops, and mom-and-pop grocery stores. Their belief that the Democratic Party stood up for the working class and their willingness to support Democrats in each election helped bring home major wins for Democratic candidates locally and in statewide elections for more than 100 years.