This Pennsylvania county picks presidents. How the Harris vs. Trump fight is going.

With just four weeks before the Nov. 5 presidential election, the battle for Erie -County- a historically must-win county in a must-win state - demonstrates the urgency of identifying and contacting individual voters in a campaign that remains stubbornly close, according to campaign staff and volunteers for both campaigns. Erie County, a blue-collar region with 177,000 registered voters, has voted with the winning presidential candidate for the last four elections. Biden won Erie County in 2020 by less than 1,500 votes, or 1.03 percentage points, an even closer margin than his 1.2 percentage point win in Pennsylvania overall. In 2016, Trump won Erie County over Hillary Clinton by fewer than 2,000 votes.

The Harris campaign and the Democratic Party have three offices in Erie County and eight paid staff along with more than 300 volunteers. “It’s the bellwether part of it. It’s the mere fact that this particular city, in this particular state, could ultimately decide who’s president and they know it,” said Marie Troyer, 60, a retired teacher who got a job on the campaign answering phones and managing volunteers. For both campaigns the intensity of the fight for Erie has spilled over into threats, antagonism and uncomfortable conversations, volunteers said. A half-dozen die-hard Trump fans told Reuters they are uncomfortable being seen as public supporters of the former president. That’s a departure from 2016 when Erie was flooded with Trump signs, according to local officials and volunteers. Patrick Fuller, 50, a credit union employee who said he has knocked on more than 2,000 doors for Trump this election, said he leaves his red MAGA hat at home to avoid confrontation. “A lot of people are afraid to get involved, because they are afraid that somebody will swear at them or threaten them,” Fuller said.

This story, written by Jarrett Renshaw, is published in the Reuters.

Dairy farmer and activist Dan Gourley poses for a portrait on his farm in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.

Supporters of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump hold signage in Union City, Pennsylvania.

Bartender at The Brewerie at Union Station Erin Miller, 38, works in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Marie Troyer, 60, speaks on the phone at the Erie County Democratic Party office in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Supporters of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump hold signage in Union City, Pennsylvania.

Erie County Democratic Party chairman Sam Talerico places a sign at the Erie County Democratic Party office in Erie, Pennsylvania..

Volunteer John Guyton speaks on the phone at the Erie County Republican Party Headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Treasurer of the County Line Democrats Kelly Chelton poses for a portrait at the Democratic Party Union City field office in Union City, Pennsylvania.

Signage in support of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump is seen in Union City, Pennsylvania.

Chairman of the Erie County Republican Party Tom Eddy poses for a portrait at the Erie County Republican Party Headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Trump Force volunteer Patrick Fuller, 50, speaks with Erie resident Maria Rivera in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Kamala Captain volunteer Karen Kalivoda makes buttons at the Erie County Harris campaign headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Volunteer Krista Perry works at the Erie County Harris campaign headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Supporters of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump hold signage in Union City, Pennsylvania.