In red town of Oxford, Trump supporters celebrate

Nov. 7—OXFORD — David Nelson didn't stay up late Tuesday to hear the results of the presidential election, but it didn't take long for the news to arrive early Wednesday.

"My phone started blowing up and me and a bunch of people were texting back and forth, happy with what happened," said Nelson. "I'm happy with the election results."

The 56-year-old food truck operator cast his ballot Tuesday for Donald Trump, who defeated Kamala Harris in the presidential election early Wednesday. Harris won 52% to 45% in Maine. But here in Oxford, Trump crushed Harris 66% to 33%.

The Oxford County town of about 4,200 people lies at the southern edge of the mostly rural 2nd Congressional District, which backed Trump won for a third time. And many residents were in a celebratory mood in the hours after Trump declared victory Wednesday morning.

"I was very happy," said Jo-Anne Royer, who was having lunch with a friend at Daddy O's Diner Wednesday. Royer, 83, said she doesn't usually pay too much attention to politics. She has identified as a Democrat, Republican and independent throughout her life.

"I don't always agree with what he says as far as his personality goes," Royer said of Trump. "But I think he's sincere and wants to get the country back (to a better place)." She said Trump will be good on issues including the southern border, the economy and abortion.

With one-third of the town supporting Harris, there are Oxford voters less excited about the results, of course.

Royer's friend and lunch companion, Beverly Chase, is a Harris supporter. She was disappointed with the election outcome but said she doesn't think a Trump presidency will impact her day-to-day life too much.

"I'm hopeful," said Chase, 74. "I'm a positive person and I'd like to think that something good can still come out of it."

Outside the nearby Wal-Mart, Nelson said Trump "is the only candidate who actually talked about policies, and not just the other candidate, and what he would do for me and my country."

"The other candidate just talked about him," said Nelson, who lives in Oxford. "There was no policy."

He said he supports Trump's policies on immigration and the economy. "I'm way worse off now than I was four years ago," Nelson said.

Jeremy Fitts also voted for Trump. "The last four years have been an economic downfall and we need a change," said the 45-year-old DJ and substitute teacher.

Fitts said immigration at the southern border is also an important issue for him. "There's nothing wrong with immigrants, but you have to do it properly, be vetted and come in legally," he said.

Fitts, who lives in Oxford, said he is "not a fan of Trump himself," but likes his policies. He said his whole family is Republican-leaning and is happy with the election results.

He said he did not start voting until the 2016 election. It wasn't Trump's candidacy that year that motivated him, but rather a frustration with liberal and Democratic politics, he said.

"If you don't agree with them you're obviously a racist or a sexist or a bigot, it's that type of thing (that frustrated me)," Fitts said.

At a strip mall down the street, Debra Rollins of Lewiston said she was "beyond happy" to see the election results Wednesday.

"This morning when I woke up, I felt at peace," said the 61-year-old who cast her ballot for Trump.

"You have to come here legally, like my grandfather did, and you can't just let everybody in the country," Rollins said. "Not only that, when you can't afford groceries or gas (it's a problem). We were a lot better off when he was president. We could afford our bills."

Rollins' husband, Orison Rollins, said he should be close to retirement but doesn't see it happening anytime soon because he needs to keep working.

"We did have (Trump) for four years before," said Orison Rollins, 63, a truck driver who said his company was doing better and was able to give out bonuses under Trump's administration. "And prices were down," he said. "Inflation was down."

Orison Rollins said he thinks his life will improve under Trump, but it won't happen overnight.

"I'm excited about what's going to go on the next four years," he said. "We have three grandchildren, and I want to see a better world for them."

At Daddy O's, 32-year-old Hilda Chang is among the Oxford residents more worried than excited.

She said Trump's attitudes towards immigrants and minorities were one reason she voted for Harris. Chang, who is Salvadorian, Guatemalan and Chinese, said she has been bothered by how Trump has spoken about Central American countries in the past.

"I have trans friends in different states and friends in red states, and I've followed what has happened in terms of the Republican party and Project 2025. Knowing what that could mean for my friends, and for the nation, really scares me," said the Buckfield resident.

"I'm just in shock, honestly," she said.

Even in a solidly red town, Oxford residents have learned to get along with people they disagree with.

Bethany Paradis of Scarborough supported Harris and was also sorry to see the election results. Her husband, Alan Paradis, voted for Trump.

"I worry about abortion rights," said Bethany Paradis, 64. "I worry about just the discord that I think Trump brings. He inflames people. I worry about that and I am a bit fearful of his behavior."

Asked if he is a Trump supporter, Alan Paradis said he is a Republican.

"I like what he did in his first term and I think if he would have just shut his mouth he would have been back for a second term (in 2020)," said Alan Paradis, 65.

He wants to see Trump secure the southern border. "If they did it right, I have no problem with (immigration)," Alan Paradis said, though he also worries about whether there are enough resources, such as housing, to support an influx of immigrants as well as Americans who are in need.

The couple avoid talking about politics due to their different opinions.

"And we're still married," Alan Paradis said with a laugh.

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