As the political climate intensifies, with Donald Trump amplifying fear and issuing threats, Democrats are in a race against time to galvanize voter turnout.
Pat Parker, a long-time advocate for Democratic presidential candidates in Michigan, has witnessed the evolution of election campaigns over five cycles. Her experiences range from the excitement of canvassing for Barack Obama to the somber atmosphere of a Hillary Clinton campaign office in Saginaw, all the way to the constraints of campaign efforts during the pandemic for Joe Biden. However, as this year’s election approaches, Parker senses a palpable fear among voters that she has not seen before.
“I’m really enthusiastic about Kamala Harris, but I also recognize that many people are motivated to vote primarily to oppose Trump,” Parker explains. “It’s all about him—there’s an undeniable urgency in conversations. People express anxiety about the prospect of his return, which often overshadows discussions about Harris herself.”
After Trump’s 2020 defeat, many believed he would retreat from politics. But subsequent events, including the January 6 Capitol riot and ongoing challenges to electoral integrity, kept him in the national spotlight. With the current election cycle, Parker notes that the stakes feel higher, as Trump threatens democracy and promotes divisive rhetoric against immigrants and the justice system.
“Watching Trump is akin to staring at a fire; you can’t look away,” she remarks.
In Michigan, voters are bombarded with campaign ads and rallies as Trump and Harris vie for critical votes in a state where they remain neck and neck in polling. The Harris campaign views Michigan, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, as essential to securing victory, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing voters.
Trump managed to win Michigan in 2016 by just over 10,000 votes, and while he increased his support in 2020, it wasn’t enough to reclaim the state from Biden, who benefited from a surge in Democratic turnout. Recent reports indicate that voter registration in Michigan is on the rise, with nearly one million mail-in ballots already returned—predominantly from Democratic strongholds like Detroit.
However, the Harris campaign is cautious, wary of complacency following the missteps of 2016, when Clinton’s campaign neglected key demographics and took Michigan for granted. To avoid repeating those errors, Harris has focused heavily on connecting with various voter groups across the state.
The campaign has also leveraged high-profile endorsements and appearances, bringing out Barack Obama and other notable figures to rally support. Harris is making a concerted effort to reach out to disillusioned Republicans, showcasing bi-partisan support against Trump’s agenda.
Conversely, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have resorted to making bold promises—a tactic that even some supporters question. For instance, at a recent rally, Trump claimed he would restore Michigan’s status as the “car capital of the world,” despite the troubling reality of shuttered factories.
While Trump remains popular among certain groups, including young white males and some members of the working class who feel disconnected from the Democratic Party, Michigan voters are divided on their allegiance. Many, like Darshell Roberson, express frustration with the political landscape.
“I voted for Biden, but I feel let down. Now, I have faith in Trump. I think he can improve things,” she shared, reflecting a sentiment of disillusionment that resonates with many in the state.
Parker observes that numerous conversations reveal shared anxiety about Trump’s potential return to power and its implications for democracy. “His re-election would enable him to wield unprecedented power. Many voters sense that,” she says.
As election day draws closer, efforts to engage voters continue, fueled by critical issues such as abortion rights. Following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, many Michigan voters mobilized to secure abortion rights in the state constitution, a sentiment that may drive turnout against Trump’s agenda.
Student activism also plays a significant role, with concerns regarding women’s rights and immigration at the forefront. Keaton Henning, a student campaigning for Harris, emphasizes the importance of these issues among his peers.
“I began engaging in the political process after Trump’s comments about immigrants. For many students, abortion rights are pivotal, but there’s also a broader discourse around global issues like the Gaza conflict,” he says.
The situation in Gaza poses a challenge for Harris, as she tries to navigate a complex political landscape where local Arab American communities have expressed frustration over the party’s stances. While they are unlikely to swing toward Trump, their potential abstention could impact the election, especially if voter turnout is as close as it was in 2016.
In light of the mounting pressures, Parker notes that these conversations have a sense of urgency, echoing a broader feeling of impending change. “It’s overwhelming for many. A very close friend of mine is leaving the country on November 1, seeking refuge in Canada until this upheaval passes,” she shares, summarizing the climate of uncertainty that underpins the upcoming election.
