Kamala Harris gestures along with Michelle Obama as they attend a campaign event for Harris at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, October 26. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Trump and Harris Make Final Appeals to Michigan Voters Amid Tense Campaign
Trump Seeks Support from Muslim and Union Voters in Michigan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appealed to Michigan’s Muslim and Arab American voters on Saturday, hoping to gain traction in a state where the electorate includes diverse communities with strong opinions on international and domestic issues. Addressing a crowd in Novi, just outside Detroit, Trump underscored his commitment to peace in the Middle East, telling attendees he had met with local imams and would work to end conflicts in the region. Despite his history of backing Israel and his first-term ban on immigration from some Muslim-majority countries, Trump’s comments resonated with certain segments of Michigan’s Muslim American community, who are increasingly dissatisfied with the Biden-Harris administration’s stance on Israel.
Additionally, Trump pledged to revitalize Michigan’s auto industry, promising to counter economic decline in the Detroit area. With early voting underway, the state remains a focal point for both campaigns, which are keen to secure Michigan’s 15 electoral college votes.
Michelle Obama Rallies for Harris in Kalamazoo
Meanwhile, former First Lady Michelle Obama joined Democratic candidate Kamala Harris at a rally in Kalamazoo, southern Michigan, offering a passionate endorsement. Obama criticized what she described as a double standard in the scrutiny placed on Harris, contrasting her qualifications and leadership style with Trump’s, and addressing what she views as his lack of competence.
Obama also spoke out on women’s health issues, highlighting Trump’s intent to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which she argued could have sweeping consequences for women’s healthcare. “We as women will become collateral damage to your rage,” Obama warned, urging undecided voters to engage fully with the election’s stakes. Her remarks led into Harris’s speech, which covered healthcare, reproductive rights, and unity.
Campaigns Address Voter Concerns on Gaza and Healthcare
During her address, Harris faced interruptions from a demonstrator calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza, a reflection of some voters’ deep concerns about U.S. foreign policy. In response, Harris affirmed the need to end the conflict and emphasized a desire to “turn the page on fear and divisiveness.”
Harris also met with healthcare providers earlier that day in Portage, Michigan, where she listened to their accounts of increased patient demand following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Harris used these conversations to frame her platform on healthcare and reproductive rights, calling the current state of healthcare a “crisis.”
Trump Campaigns in Pennsylvania, Targets Young Voters
Following his Michigan rally, Trump traveled to Pennsylvania, another key battleground state, where he spoke at Penn State University. Trump sought to appeal to young voters, bringing members of the university’s wrestling team on stage and reiterating his commitment to a strong finish on Election Day. “We have to finish it off with a big victory on Nov. 5,” he urged the crowd.
Polls Reflect Close Race as Early Voting Continues
Recent polls reflect a highly competitive race, with Harris holding a slim lead over Trump. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Harris ahead nationally by a narrow margin, 46% to 43%, while FiveThirtyEight’s polling aggregator indicates a near tie in Michigan, with Harris leading Trump by just 0.5%.
In Michigan, early voting has gained momentum, particularly through absentee ballots. The state’s new early in-person voting option and expanded absentee processing measures are expected to streamline ballot counting on Election Day. As of Friday, nearly 1.42 million Michigan residents, or 19.5% of registered voters, have cast their ballots, positioning Michigan as a decisive factor in the upcoming election.
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