As Charity Dean navigates the intensifying landscape of the presidential race, the gravity of the situation deepens, especially with Vice President Kamala Harris emerging as the likely Democratic nominee. This shift injects a rejuvenating vigor that was previously absent in the Biden-Trump dynamic, according to Dean, a coffee shop owner in northwest Detroit. “It’s invigorating,” Dean remarked, noting that individuals previously disengaged by the prospect of a Biden-Trump rematch are now showing heightened interest with Harris leading the ticket.
Following Harris’s clinching of enough delegate support to secure the Democratic nomination, the party is abuzz with renewed enthusiasm, shifting its focus to constructing a robust coalition around Harris, a task that has gained urgency after a year spent shoring up Biden’s weakening base.
“It’s not merely about the potential to make history” said Dean, who also heads the Michigan Black Business Alliance. “It’s about the looming uncertainty if we don’t.”
Michigan stands as a pivotal battleground for the Harris campaign, testing its ability to forge and maintain a coalition that might diverge significantly from Biden’s 2020 winning alliance particularly concerning younger voters and voters of color. Interviews with over two dozen voters, party activists, and Democratic officials in Detroit and nearby areas highlight a surge in support for Harris among women, voters of color, and younger demographics. However, it remains uncertain how this support will hold up among independent voters and labor union members, especially as Trump and his allies race to define Harris in their narrative.
Biden & Harris:
“Now, instead of merely having something to oppose, we have something to champion” said Rev. Charles Williams of Historic King Solomon Baptist Church, who had previously voiced concerns about a lack of enthusiasm for Biden, despite the accomplishments of his first term. “Before Biden’s announcement, it felt like we were wading through molasses,” Williams said in a recent interview outside his church. “After Biden’s announcement, we’re on a rocket ship.”
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The contest for the ‘blue wall’ states is underway. Harris’s campaign, still in its nascent stages, is ramping up efforts, including a rapid vice presidential vetting process, preparing for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and bolstering advertising and fundraising strategies, evidenced by the $200 million raised in her first week. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign launched a fresh offensive against Harris, including a $12.2 million ad blitz across six battleground states, Michigan included. One ad labels Harris as the “border czar” of the Biden administration, critiquing her role in addressing the root causes of migration from Central America.
“This is America’s border czar – and she’s failed us,” a narrator intones over footage of Harris dancing at an event, painting her as “Failed. Weak. Dangerously Liberal.”
Trump’s 2016 victories in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—states that had formed a key part of the Democratic “blue wall”—were a significant breakthrough. Biden reclaimed these states four years later, and his campaign had identified them as crucial to securing the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory. Harris’s appeal could potentially expand the battleground map to include Sun Belt states like Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Georgia, where she recently held a rally. Nevertheless, the blue wall states are poised to be critical for both Harris and Trump.
Supporters of Harris, like Dean, who named her coffee shop Rosa after her great-grandmother, sense the historical significance of Harris’s candidacy. “We have fears rooted in past experiences of racism and sexism,” Dean said. “People ask, ‘Will they vote for her?’ I say there is no ‘they,’ it is ‘us.’ With that confidence and momentum, it becomes contagious.”
In Dearborn, where Harris’s candidacy is still in its early days and Trump’s attacks are just beginning, some Michigan Democrats see an opportunity for Harris to overcome the skepticism that many felt towards Biden. In Michigan’s Democratic primary in February, over 101,000 voters—13.2% of the electorate—chose “uncommitted” rather than voting for Biden, largely in response to his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. “Uncommitted” garnered 57% of the vote in Dearborn, home to large Arab American and Muslim communities, compared to Biden’s 40%, highlighting a significant warning sign in a key Democratic stronghold.
Harris must tread carefully on issues like the Gaza conflict to avoid undermining Biden, with her choices of running mate and other key decisions playing a crucial role in how she is perceived. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, who supported the “uncommitted” vote campaign during the primary, sees potential for Harris to make inroads. “With Vice President Harris, there’s a renewed spark,” Hammoud told CNN. “There’s an opportunity to rebuild the coalition that helped Biden win.”
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When asked if he would support Harris and encourage others in his community to do the same, Hammoud said it was too early to decide. He wants to hear more from Harris, particularly following her empathetic comments about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “It comes down to values and priorities. That hasn’t changed for me,” he said. “I’m hopeful that Vice President Harris will chart a new course.”
As the new race dynamics settle in, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens hears firsthand the shifting sentiments while canvassing in her Oakland County district north of Detroit. Signs bearing bold slogans like “Dump Trump” and “Michigan for Trump. Make America Great Again” illustrate the polarized political landscape. “People are being activated in a new way,” Stevens noted.
While many residents were not home or did not answer their doors, Stevens continued until she encountered Reuben Maxbauer, holding his young son. “How are you feeling about the switch from Biden to Harris?” Stevens asked. “I feel good,” Maxbauer replied, acknowledging the excitement of the past week. “If the last seven days are representative of the next 100 days, it will be quite the roller coaster, but very exciting.” However, Maxbauer, who has family in Israel, expressed a desire to learn more about Harris’s positions, especially on Middle Eastern issues.
As she continued her canvassing, Stevens acknowledged the complexities Harris and the Democrats face in Michigan—a delicate balancing act of foreign policy and domestic issues. “Every vote really matters. Every conversation carries weight,” Stevens said. “But I won’t sugarcoat it. There are still strong emotions around the Middle East.” However, she suggested that Trump might ultimately serve as a unifying force for Democrats. “I think that’s what we’ll see happen,” she said. “I really do.”
