Politics
JUST IN: ABC Reporter Identifies ‘Severe Cracks’ In Kamala’s Support In Michigan
On Tuesday afternoon, ABC News flagged “severe cracks” in Democratic support in Michigan, raising concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign in the traditionally blue state.
Speaking from Detroit, Reporter Juju Chang revealed that core Democratic strongholds, particularly Wayne County, are witnessing a surprising shift: traditionally Democratic Black and Arab voters are leaning toward former President Donald Trump.
The potential shift comes at a critical moment, with Michigan forming a key piece of the so-called “blue wall” alongside Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. For Democrats to maintain control of the White House, holding onto these states is essential. However, as Chang noted, two of Michigan’s most pivotal voting blocs appear to be wavering, signaling possible trouble for Harris in one of the most closely watched battleground states.
Wayne County, home to Detroit, has historically leaned Democratic, but recent trends reveal that African American support may be slipping. As Chang noted, Democrats have long depended on Detroit’s predominantly Black voter base to secure victories. Yet, since the Obama era, voter turnout in this demographic has fluctuated, with 2016 witnessing a narrow Democratic loss in Wayne County, partly attributed to decreased African American turnout.
WATCH:
🚨 #BREAKING: ABC News is warning of “SEVERE CRACKS” in the Democrat voter base in Michigan today
Traditional Democrat strongholds such as Wayne County are seeing HUGE amounts of Black and Arab voters jumping to Trump
This is MASSIVE!
The so-called “blue wall” is COLLAPSING… pic.twitter.com/nCRWdH6pfn
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 5, 2024
According to the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, current projections suggest that voter turnout in Wayne County may fall short of 2020’s numbers, a trend that could spell disaster for Harris. The campaign has focused heavily on engaging Black voters in Detroit, but ABC’s report suggests the message may not be resonating as strongly as needed. Many in this community are reportedly disillusioned with the administration’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
“We talked to many Arab American voters who say they just can’t bring themselves to vote for Harris because they are so upset about the war in Gaza,” said Chang, noting that several voters have openly expressed frustration, even though Trump’s stance on Israel is often more pro-Israel.
The unease has driven some voters to consider alternatives. Chang interviewed one Arab American voter, a lifelong Democrat and former Bernie Sanders supporter, who voted for Biden in 2020 but this year is leaning toward third-party candidates such as Jill Stein, potentially sapping votes from the Democratic base.
An earlier Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) poll revealed Harris trailing Green Party nominee Jill Stein among Muslim voters in Michigan. The poll showed Stein leading Harris by a narrow margin—42.3% to Harris’s 41%.
As Election Day progresses, many are watching Michigan closely to see if Democrats can still count on the “blue wall.” The state is also home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States, which is especially concentrated in and around cities like Dearborn and Detroit. Michigan’s Muslim voters, who are diverse in ethnicity, immigration background, and socioeconomic status, have become a significant electoral bloc.
In a closely contested state like Michigan, even a small shift in Muslim voter allegiance could have a major impact.
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