Michigan elections FAQ: What’s next for Trump, Harris and down-ticket races?
- In new Michigan elections FAQ episode, Bridge Michigan reporters break down new dynamics in the presidential race
- Reporter Simon Schuster discusses new Michigan polling suggests a dead heat between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump
- Reporter Lauren Gibbons explains how Harris replacing Biden could impact Michigan races, including a competitive U.S. Senate race
LANSING — Michigan Democrats have quickly rallied around Kamala Harris as their presumed presidential nominee, causing “a degree of consternation” for Republican nominee Donald Trump, Bridge reporter Simon Schuster said Monday.
Trump had built his campaign around unseating incumbent President Joe Biden and is now attempting to adapt to the “fundamental shift” in the race, Schuster said in the latest Michigan elections FAQ live show.
Schuster and fellow political reporter Lauren Gibbons joined host Isabel Lohman on Monday morning to discuss upcoming elections and answer reader questions. Watch the full episode below or on YouTube.
Among the topics in this week’s show:
- New polling of Michigan voters suggests a dead heat between Harris and Trump in Michigan. But, as Schuster notes, because polls have a margin of error, there could be a significant gap between these two candidates... we don't really know for sure."
- Still, he said, with Harris in the race, "things have really tightened up."
- The same poll showed Democrat Elissa Slotkin leading Republican Mike Rogers in the race for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. But as Gibbons noted, each must first get through the Aug. 6 primary.
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week signed an $82.5 billion budget with new money for housing, pre-K and community college. But as Gibbons noted, some aspects "were a little controversial."
- A reader asked, if Trump wins election, could he give taxpayers back the money Biden has approved for electric vehicles? That would "probably be a little complicated," Gibbons said, noting Trump would have an easier time reversing new emissions standards.
Bridge will be back next week with a special Michigan elections FAQ primary election recap show at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. Sign up now for the free, online event.
Political reporters will discuss the winners and losers of the primary — and look forward to the November general election. And of course, they’ll answer reader and viewer questions. Ask your question now. And sign up for our Politics Watch newsletter for more information.
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