The 2020 Presidential election is shaping up to be anything but typical, with Democratic candidate Joe Biden and Republican incumbent Donald Trump squaring off for Michigan’s working-class voters. Biden’s campaign has focused heavily on blue-collar workers from Michigan, as he has visited the state oftentimes throughout his campaign trail. He plans to break-down Trump’s tariffs that have hurt farmers, factory workers, and others in the working class. He also promises to restore collective-bargaining rights to unions.
For Trump, however, it’s more about emphasizing the economic gains that Michigan has seen since his time in office. The Trump campaign cites the fact that Michigan unemployment is currently at its lowest since 2001 as an accomplishment of his administration. Although this statistic bears true for the state of Michigan, the lowest unemployment rate remains higher than just a couple years ago.
The two candidates also have different plans for the overall auto industry. Biden is in favor of pushing Detroit’s manufacturing sector and unions in order to ultimately protect the jobs of those who work in the area. Trump has said that his trade policies, which have added tariffs on car imports, have benefited Detroit and its workers in return.
Both Biden and Trump have stressed the importance of Michigan’s working-class voters. Michigan is seen as a critical battleground state in the election, and the working-class groups within the state could be the deciding factor in the election’s outcome. With the presidential debates only a few weeks away, both candidates will need to pay special attention to the needs of Michigan’s working-class citizens in order to engage voters and win their votes.
