An EV plant bolstered by Biden’s climate law sparks hope in Northeast Ohio – but not a revival of its Democratic roots

New electric vehicle battery plant in Lordstown , Ohio , is a critical window into this political moment.

The former General Motors Lordstown plant that closed its doors in 2019 will be idled.

Donald Trump tapped into the anxieties within those communities with his bold promises to bring back the manufacturing prowess of old.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are unapologetically pro-union.

Lordstown 's union contract ratification in June marked just the latest critical development inside a plant that in many ways has laid the groundwork for an expanding industry.

The Ultium plant started production just two weeks after Biden signed a sweeping clean energy investment package.

The UAW endorsed Harris and aggressively pushed out video of her appearance on the picket line as a senator and Democratic presidential hopeful in 2019 .

But on the ground here, that record of results hasn’t had a dramatic effect with rank-and-file workers.

“I teared up quite a few times having these conversations with my brothers and sisters that I used to work with here in Lordstown ,” Goranitis said.