Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) delivered some troubling news to supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris, stating that her numbers are “underwater” in the crucial swing state of Michigan. Axios first reported the story, which is likely to send shockwaves through the Democratic Party as Election Day approaches. “I’m not feeling my best right now about where we are on Kamala Harris in a place like Michigan,” she said during a virtual campaign event with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), adding: “We have her underwater in our polling.”
Slotkin is running for a U.S. Senate seat in her home state of Michigan. Michigan is seen as a key swing state in this election, and both Republicans and Democrats are treating it as a high priority in their campaigns. Winning the state would be a major step toward the 270 electoral votes needed to win.
“The campaigns are eyeing multiple paths to victory, but if Trump sweeps the Sun Belt, he would need just one Blue Wall state to put him over the top,” the New York Post reported. “Harris would have to win the states Biden won in 2020 for an easy path, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.” The outlet added: “The 45th president won Michigan in 2016, but lost narrowly by 2.78% to President Biden.”
WATCH:
??Michigan Democrat Senate nominee Elissa Slotkin: “I’m not feeling my best right now about where we are in Kamala Harris in a place like Michigan. We have her under water in our polling.” pic.twitter.com/hmMQEZwD94
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 29, 2024
“Polls show Harris slightly leading in the Wolverine State, with RealClearPolitics averaging her lead as 48.9% to Trump’s 47.5%. The latest New York Times/Siena poll has her up by only one point – 48% to the former president’s 47%. But a recent poll from Atlas Intel has Trump leading by four points: 51%-47%,” the New York Post noted further.
Former President Trump’s campaign team has sent Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) to campaign in Rust Belt states like Michigan, and he is certainly making waves. With a debate scheduled for Tuesday evening against Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the stakes are high for Michigan. If Walz performs poorly, it could have significant consequences for his party. “Both Harris and Trump have made appeals to restore American manufacturing and have courted the union vote — a factor that pushed Biden above Trump in 2020,” the New York Post added.
I was in Michigan a few weeks ago. I saw more Trump signs and bumper stickers there than I see here in Alabama. This was near Detroit and Dearborn. I didn’t see a single Harris or Biden sign or sticker. Not even on the “coexist” cars.
— Sean Lulofs (@SeanLulofs) September 29, 2024
The Post noted that the major difference during this cycle is that many more union members appear to be swinging to Trump. “Michigan was a headache for Biden’s campaign as anti-Israel protesters threatened to vote ‘uncommitted’ if he didn’t change his policies in the Israel-Hamas war. Harris was interrupted by protesters in August in a test exchange, but hasn’t had the same presence of protesters on the campaign trail that Biden experienced,” the media outlet recalled.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.