Michigan voters helped swing the Electoral College to Donald Trump in 2016 and then to Joe Biden in 2020. The votes were close in each election, with the winner decided by 0.2 percent in 2016 and 2.8 percent in 2020.
The state’s major cities, including Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, are Democratic strongholds, while the smaller cities and rural areas tend to vote Republican in national elections.
From the shores of the Port of Detroit to the sandy beaches of Grand Haven, The Epoch Times traveled Michigan from coast to coast to find out how this year’s political messaging is landing with voters.
Jake Anderson, 28, an epidemiologist from Grand Rapids, said he has seen ads from both campaigns that give negative information about the other candidate.
“I would say, overall, it’s a pretty dividing way,” Anderson said.
Anderson, who is employed by a nonprofit working with Native Americans, said that while he’s not very involved in politics, he’d like to see more bipartisanship.
“Just to focus on working together. That would be my biggest takeaway,” he said.
Javon Shivers, 28, of Saginaw, Michigan, said he had received mail from the Harris–Walz campaign but did not pay much attention to it.
“I’m really not into politics,” he said. “I’m my own president. That’s how I look at it.”
The clothing entrepreneur said he sees a disconnect between politics and the lives of ordinary people.
“It really doesn’t change anything for me myself,” he said. “You still have to live your day-to-day life outside of what they’re doing.”
Shivers said he would like to see the candidates speak candidly about the issues.
“I would like to see them talk about the truth, about what’s really going on in society,” he said.
“Yeah, I’ve seen some ads,” Germaine Green, 51, of Grand Rapids, said. “I’m probably not going to vote for either one of them.”
Green said he'd like to hear candidates talk more about illegal immigration and its effect on working people.
“They’re giving all this money to immigrants, like food stamps. The average American wants to see money in their paycheck.”
Sam Bayle, 33, of Grand Rapids, said he had seen advertisements from both campaigns but that none made a positive impression on him.
“I get through them as quick as I can because I’m sick of seeing all of them, to be completely honest,” he said.
“I would like a little talk about the general way that government works, like all the money involved in it.
“A little more transparency in terms of where funding is coming from and what you’re looking to do. Actual conversations instead of just the party line.”
Larena Singleton, 50, of Detroit, said she has received mail from both the Harris and Trump campaigns.
“We’re being bombarded with it,” she said. “At least five days a week, we get mail from both.”
Singleton said she dislikes the tone she hears from both campaigns.
“I don’t like the bickering back and forth,” she said. “Debating is one thing, but then when you’re trying to throw shade or throw dirt on each other, that’s something different.
“Both campaigns should be talking more about helping the homeless and about education.”
Many children are not being fully educated in public schools, she said. Education should be “getting the kids back into the fundamentals.”
Ryan Decker, 49, of Grand Haven, said he has not seen any materials from either campaign and isn’t eager to do so.
“They talk too much,” he said. “In my mind, it’s a mess.”
The avid surfer said he would like to see the candidates address global conflict.
“I’m always worried about war. I mean, who isn’t?” he said.
Jesse and Latral Charles, 74 and 67, respectively, of Romulus have received mail from both campaigns.
“I think Harris has definitely given more information so you can make a concrete decision on what she’s going to do,” Latral said. “She laid out her plan, her fight for the middle class.”
Both Charleses would like to hear more about the candidates’ views on women’s rights, they said.
“[Trump] has got me a little confused,” Jesse said, referring to the former president’s stance on abortion. “He’s not stable on it.”
Dirk O’Brien, 49, a flooring installer from Marne, Michigan, was fishing from the pier in Grand Haven with his two young sons when we approached him.
“None,” he replied when asked whether he’d received any contact from the campaigns. He added that he’s a felon and is probably not included on their lists.
O’Brien said he’s less concerned with global politics and would like to hear candidates talk more about domestic issues, especially those regarding the environment.
“I’m more concerned about China buying up all this farmland and all this mining we’re doing for batteries,” he said.
Speaking of mining operations to make batteries for electric vehicles, he asked, “What are we going to do with all this waste we’re creating?”
Mike and Jaclyn Bussert, 36 and 35, respectively, of New Hudson, have had contact from neither campaign. They said they’ve seen social media ads but don’t recall the content.
Jaclyn said she’s not especially interested in politics at this point.
“I haven’t quite dove into all that yet,” she said, noting that she’s expecting to pay closer attention as the election draws near.
Jeff Gardner, a resident of Grand Blanc, Michigan, in his 50s, has received mail from both parties.
“I think their messages are all on track,” he said of the Republican campaigns. After a pause, he added, “The others, I don’t.”
The issue that gets too little attention, in his view, is the attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Democratic candidates and the news media “ought to be saying what a problem it is that President Trump was nearly assassinated,” he said. “They ought to be exposing it ... and never allowing anything to ever happen to any former president.”
