The race for the White House is heating up in Michigan, a battleground state that could decide the outcome of the 2024 election. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump both made their presence felt in the state on Friday, each targeting key demographics in their bid for victory.
Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, kicked off her day in Grand Rapids, urging supporters to vote. “It’s the time to make a plan to vote. Make a plan,” she declared, emphasizing the importance of voter mobilization. “Michigan, today I ask you…are you ready to make your voices heard?”
Meanwhile, Trump, the Republican standard-bearer, made a stop in Hamtramck, the only Muslim-majority city in the United States. This strategic move aimed to court Arab American voters, a significant demographic in Michigan. Notably, Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, the first Arab American and Muslim mayor of the city, endorsed Trump, despite three city council members backing Harris.
“Frankly, it’s an honor,” Trump remarked about Ghalib’s endorsement, acknowledging the importance of this voter group. Both candidates recognize the influence of Arab Americans in Michigan, who constitute over 2% of the state’s population – the highest percentage in the nation. The Trump campaign has seen an opening among this demographic, capitalizing on their frustration with the current administration’s support of Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
“I don’t think they’re going to be voting for her [Harris],” Trump asserted, emphasizing his belief that he has an advantage among Arab Americans. He also touted his perceived lead in the state, citing recent polls.
The latest public opinion surveys in Michigan do suggest a slight edge for Trump over Harris within the margin of error. Matt Grossman, a political science professor at Michigan State University, highlighted the state’s “unique dynamics.” He pointed to Harris’s perceived vulnerability with Arab American voters as well as the state’s substantial Black electorate.
Michigan is one of seven pivotal swing states that decided President Biden’s victory over Trump in 2020. All seven states are poised to determine the outcome of the 2024 election. Michigan, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, form the Democrats’ so-called “Blue Wall.” These states were reliably Democratic for decades before Trump narrowly captured them in 2016. Biden, however, regained those states in 2020.
Both Harris and Trump, along with their running mates, have made numerous trips to these battleground states this summer and fall, indicating the significance of their vote. Both campaigns and affiliated groups have poured resources into mobilizing voters in these key regions.
The evening saw Harris and Trump campaigning in and around Detroit. Harris held a rally in suburban Oakland County while Trump participated in a roundtable discussion in Auburn Hills before a rally in downtown Detroit.
With Michigan being a crucial state for Harris, she planned to spend the night and hold a get-out-the-vote event in Detroit on Saturday with Lizzo, a popular singer and rapper born in the Motor City. Lizzo revealed earlier this week that she had already voted early for Harris.
The political landscape in Michigan is highly competitive, with both candidates making a concerted effort to secure the state’s electoral votes. The intense campaigning and focus on crucial voter groups highlight the significance of Michigan in the upcoming election.