TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- If you want to know who the next president of the United States will be, just ask the voters of Vigo County.
Vigo voters have correctly voted for the winning presidential candidate in 29 out of the last 31 elections.
The county is considered a bellwether for national races. Even though it typically leans Democrat, a Republican mayor and prosecutor have just been elected to their third terms in office.
"It's because [voters] really looked at the person," said Republican Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett. "I think it is the right person to run, and they voted that way, and they feel very comfortable with that."
Vigo County calls itself the crossroads of America. It's a mix of white and blue collar, small business and family farms. Dr. Matthew Bergbower, of Indiana State University, says that makes for good political representation.
"Vigo County has a pretty good balance between Republicans and Democrats and independents," Bergbower said. "And I think that formula can produce some of what we're seeing over the past few decades."
According to Politico, Vigo County voted for the losing candidate only twice since 1888. In 1908, it went for William Jennings Bryan instead of William Howard Taft. Then, in 1952, it voted for Adlai Stevenson instead of Dwight Eisenhower.
