Yes
I do.
No
I don’t.
President Donald Trump is turning his attention toward one of the most closely watched Senate contests in America, and the political battle in Michigan is becoming increasingly intense.
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed emerged from a competitive Democratic primary earlier this month and is now his party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate. El-Sayed narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens, receiving approximately 48.5% of the primary vote compared with Stevens’ 47.5%, according to reported results.
Now El-Sayed is facing Republican nominee Mike Rogers in a race that could have major implications for control of the Senate.
President Trump has attacked El-Sayed and sought to make him a national political issue, including questioning his relationship with important groups of Michigan voters.
The subject of Black voters is particularly significant in Michigan. Detroit remains one of the most important Democratic strongholds in the state, and Black voters have historically played a major role in Democratic victories there.
But the political picture has become more complicated.
Recent reporting has examined El-Sayed’s support among Black voters following his primary victory, while Republicans are actively trying to capitalize on divisions within the Democratic coalition. Rogers recently appeared with Democratic defectors in Detroit as he attempts to expand his support beyond traditional Republican voters.
El-Sayed, for his part, has argued that political observers should not assume Michigan voters automatically favor establishment or moderate candidates. Before the primary, he pointed to Trump’s victories in Michigan as evidence that voters in the state can embrace populist candidates.
That makes the upcoming general election particularly interesting.
Trump has made gains with groups of voters who were once considered reliably Democratic, and Republicans would like to continue expanding that coalition. Democrats, meanwhile, need strong turnout in Detroit and other traditional Democratic areas if they hope to win a competitive statewide contest.
The question is whether Trump’s criticism of El-Sayed will resonate with those voters or whether Democrats will rally behind their nominee.
Ultimately, Michigan voters will make that decision at the ballot box. But Trump has already made clear that he intends to have a voice in the race.