Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are currently tied in the battleground state of Michigan, as reported by a recent public opinion poll. The race has been deemed a toss-up by Fox News’ Power Rankings, with both parties making a strong play for Rust Belt voters. AARP conducted a poll from Oct. 2-8 that showed the race has significantly tightened, with voters split along generational and gender lines. In a full ballot with third-party candidates included, Harris and Trump are tied at 46% support each, with Independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receiving 3% support.
In a head-to-head matchup between Harris and Trump, the former president is leading by just one point, with Harris at 48% and Trump at 49%. The AARP poll also highlighted a generational divide, with Harris leading by double digits among voters aged 18-34 and 65+, while Trump has stronger support among voters aged 35-49 and 50-64. There is also a significant gender gap, with Harris ahead among women voters and Trump leading among men. The survey found that the Senate race to fill the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow is also competitive, with Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin narrowly leading Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers 49%-46%.
Michigan, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, forms the Democrats’ so-called “Blue Wall” in the Rust Belt. These states were reliably Democratic for a quarter-century before Trump narrowly won them in 2016, ultimately securing the presidency. In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden managed to win back these key states by razor-thin margins. Harris is set to campaign in Michigan, with plans for a radio town hall in Detroit with Charlamagne tha God. Trump recently visited Michigan and announced proposals including tax deductions for auto loan interest, tax cuts for American manufacturers, and potential tariffs on foreign-imported vehicles if he is elected for a second term.
The state of Michigan has become a focal point for both parties in the lead-up to the 2022 midterm elections. The AARP poll revealed a tight race between Harris and Trump, highlighting a divide along generational and gender lines. The upcoming Senate race to fill Stabenow’s seat is also shaping up to be competitive, with Slotkin holding a slight lead over Rogers. Michigan, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, have historically been key battleground states in presidential elections, with the Democrats reclaiming them in 2020 after losing them to Trump in 2016. Both Harris and Trump are actively campaigning in the state, making appeals to voters on key issues such as the economy, trade policies, and manufacturing.
As the race in Michigan heats up, both parties are focusing on mobilizing their bases and appealing to key demographic groups. Harris and Trump are currently neck and neck in the polls, with a slight edge for the former president in a head-to-head matchup. The AARP poll has shed light on the generational and gender divides among voters in the state, with Harris leading among younger and older voters, while Trump has stronger support among middle-aged voters. The upcoming Senate race is also a closely watched contest, with Slotkin and Rogers in a tight race for the seat vacated by Stabenow. Michigan remains a key battleground state in the upcoming elections, with both parties vying for support in this critical Rust Belt region.
