How did WV end up with 2 Democrat senators all that time? Same with other red states like Montana and the Dakotas. At least their POTUS votes were red.
I lived in Montana for awhile. There's a history of natural resource production and big companies. The Anaconda Company was a villain long after it perished. Unions were the 'heroes' standing between the evil company and the people. They seem to be easily swayed by the rhetoric.
It works in local, even state elections. Not so much for a national ticket.