The voters in Michigan played a pivotal role in swinging the Electoral College to Donald Trump in 2016 and then to Joe Biden in 2020. The margins in both elections were narrow, with the victory being decided by 0.2 percent in 2016 and 2.8 percent in 2020.
Michigan’s major cities, such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, are Democratic strongholds, while the smaller cities and rural areas tend to vote Republican in national elections.
Traveling from the Port of Detroit to Grand Haven, The Epoch Times explored Michigan to gauge how this year’s political messages are resonating with voters.
Jake Anderson, 28, an epidemiologist from Grand Rapids, expressed that the negative campaign ads from both sides are divisive and hopes for more bipartisanship.
Javon Shivers, 28, from Saginaw, mentioned receiving campaign mail but stated he’s not very interested in politics, preferring to focus on his own life.
Sam Bayle, 33, from Grand Rapids, shared that none of the campaign ads had a positive impact on him and expressed a desire for more transparency in government funding.
Larena Singleton, 50, of Detroit, received mail from both campaigns and expressed a dislike for the negative tone and bickering between them, advocating for a focus on helping the homeless and improving education.
Ryan Decker, 49, from Grand Haven, has not received any campaign materials and expressed a lack of interest due to the perceived messiness of political talk.
Jesse and Latral Charles, 74 and 67, from Romulus, received mail from both campaigns and noted that Harris’ campaign provided more information for making an informed decision. She outlined her strategy, her advocacy for the middle class.
Both Charleses expressed interest in learning more about the candidates’ positions on women’s rights.
“[Trump] has me a bit perplexed,” Jesse remarked, alluding to the former president’s inconsistent stance on abortion. “He’s not consistent about it.”
Dirk O’Brien, a 49-year-old flooring installer from Marne, Michigan, was fishing with his two young sons in Grand Haven when we approached him.
“None,” he responded when asked if he had been contacted by either campaign. He noted that he is a felon and likely not on their contact lists.
O’Brien expressed greater concern for domestic issues, particularly those related to the environment.
“I’m more worried about China purchasing all this farmland and the mining we’re doing for batteries,” he stated.
Mike and Jaclyn Bussert, aged 36 and 35, respectively, from New Hudson, have not been contacted by either campaign. They mentioned seeing social media advertisements but couldn’t recall the specifics.
Jeff Gardner, a resident of Grand Blanc, Michigan, in his 50s, has received mail from both parties.
“I think the Republican campaigns are on the right track with their messages,” he remarked. “The others, not so much.”
One issue that Gardner believes is not receiving enough attention is the attempted assassination of President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Democratic candidates and the media, according to Gardner, should be highlighting the severity of the incident and ensuring the safety of all former presidents.
“Please rewrite this sentence.” Please rewrite this sentence for me. Please rephrase this sentence.
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