Anyone driving through Westfield recently would be able to gauge the high level of local political involvement just by counting the campaign signs on residents’ lawns. This sight is reminiscent of Westfield during last November’s presidential election.
Donald Trump’s victory over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton marked one of the biggest upsets in recent history. During and after the election, political involvement became almost mandatory as people became increasingly passionate about their political alignments.

Tensions arose between people of different beliefs and several public figures were even criticized for not taking sides. This division deepened when it was revealed that Clinton had won the popular vote, and Trump the deciding Electoral College.
Nearly a year after the election, people are just as passionate. This interest in national politics has funneled down into local politics—just in time for Westfield’s 2017 town elections. The impact of our new president has been dubbed the “Trump Effect,” and a new wave of political dialogue has overtaken the nation. And in our town, we find that effect influencing people in many different ways.

Ms. Jackie Lieberman, editor of the local news website tapintowestfield.net and moderator of the popular “Westfield, NJ” Facebook group, has noticed the Trump Effect at play. “Here in Westfield, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in interest in local elections as a direct result of last year’s presidential election,” Lieberman wrote in an email. “This is especially true for the Democratic party in Westfield, which has become much more active than in recent years. 

“We’re seeing much more conversation and interest, as well as animosity, among neighbors during this election than we have [seen] in recent years as a result of voters’ very strong feelings about this election and, in many cases, the parties that the candidates are affiliated with.”

This local election has provided an outlet for many students who were disappointed with the results of Nov. 8, 2016. “Being involved locally, while it is an entirely different animal than a national election, made me feel as if I could make a difference,” said senior Maggie Bergin, an intern for Democratic mayoral candidate Ms. Shelley Brindle. “I took all of the passion, frustration and anger I experienced after the 2016 election and became invested in local politics.”

Even though some are using the same passion that they felt in the national election, the local election is more collaborative compared to the divisive national election of a year ago.

“In light of the political divide sparked by the presidential election, people need to learn that sometimes compromise and teamwork is best to get anything done,” said senior Jordan Lipkind, who is also an intern for Brindle. “People need to learn to put aside their party identification and really just hear what both candidates have to say.”

Others believe that on a local scale, change is easier to make, whereas on a national scale, it’s easy to feel powerless. “Even if we can’t fix the national problems, we can fix the local ones,” said senior Juliana Tully, who volunteered last year for Clinton’s campaign. “Right after Trump announced that he was running for president, I made the plan to campaign for Hillary. I went door to door, just talking to people about the election and advocating for Hillary.”

Like Tully, freshman Sophie Tananbaum channeled her dissatisfaction with Trump into political activism. Tananbaum was hoping she’d be able to tell her own kids about the day she saw the first female president elected. “But instead, the country elected a man with no respect for women,” she said. “This aspect of the election really affected me and made me angry. I decided to go to the Women’s March in New York City to protest with other like-minded people.”

Of course, not everyone views Trump’s victory as a loss. According to senior Chris Culhane, the debates sparked by Trump’s controversy have inspired him to find his voice. 

“I believe that people were taking [Trump’s] words out of context, which inspired me to get more involved and explain what he actually meant,” Culhane said. “I would get into arguments with people and it really just sparked my interest in politics.”

Senior Katherine Pink was not so much influenced by Trump as she was by the overall presidential campaign, from primaries to general election. “The 2016 election definitely amped my involvement,” she said. “I do identify as a Republican and I felt I had to explain that even though [Trump] was not my first choice I do support him, especially now since he is our president.”

Adults have felt the Trump Effect as well. Mr. Joe and Ms. Maryellen Leegan, who have been residents of Westfield for 37 years, are avid supporters of Brindle and town council candidates Ms. Linda Habgood and Ms. Dawn Mackey.

“I was disappointed that Hillary didn’t win because I think that it was time for a female president,” said Ms. Leegan. “So when I heard that these three extremely qualified women were running, I was so excited to put my signs out and support them.” 

Mr. Leegan is especially interested in these campaigns after the 2016 elections. Like many Westfield residents, his memories of last November are motivating him today. “It’s a shame that Hillary lost and I just think that it is time for a change,” he said. “I am very pleased to see that these women are in place to take the reins—I think that things will change.”