That’s unfortunate, but I bet your area is very liberal also.
The political dynamic does directly impact the local economy, especially for skilled/unskilled labor. I bet Industrial companies closed up shops by the dozens in your area.
NJ is liberal on all things but race, and over the past few years, taxes. Industry left this area decades ago; at this point we’re filling with immigrants (legal and otherwise) that vote Dem because it costs them nothing and gives them everything.