In Michigan, Democratic enthusiasm competes with disaffection
As she faces dissent from parts of the traditional Democratic base, Kamala Harris is counting on expanded support from suburban voters and former Republicans.
DETROIT — As she faces dissent from some parts of the traditional Democratic base, Vice President Kamala Harris is counting on expanded support from suburban voters and former Republicans to overcome the loss.
Nowhere is that gamble higher stakes than in Michigan, a key battleground state with a large Arab population — which has been outraged by Israel’s war in Gaza — in addition to large groups of Black men, young voters and other traditionally Democratic demographics that have been trending away from the party.
Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democrat who represents affluent Oakland County outside Detroit, said the energy in places like her district make her confident Harris can overcome any defections from the base and beat former President Donald Trump.
“It’s a close race and everyone knows it, and that’s why it all comes down to operation, and Harris has it,” she said, referring to the get-out-the-vote effort.
The congresswoman said she’s been blown away by the turnout at canvass kickoffs and Democratic events in places like Bloomfield Hills, where Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, grew up, that Democrats flipped only recently but have become powerhouses of liberal volunteerism and donations.
Rating: 5