Trump’s Final Michigan Push Targets Toss-Up House Races as Early Voting Ends
The president urged voters to support Republicans in three tight congressional districts during a brief phone call, days after Vice President JD Vance campaigned in the state.
By Chloe Martin ·
President Donald Trump made a final, short-distance appeal to Michigan voters on Saturday, urging them to cast ballots for Republican candidates in the Nov. 3 midterm election. The president participated in a telephone town hall that lasted approximately 12 minutes, a coordinated effort by the Republican National Committee targeting 19 states, including Texas, Alaska, Florida, and New Mexico.
Trump focused his remarks on the three US House districts currently held by Republicans but classified as toss-ups: the 4th, 7th, and 10th. He described these races as some of the most expensive in history and told voters to "pretend" he was on the ballot. "Michigan, you have to go out and vote," Trump said. "If the people that voted for me vote, we have a landslide for Mike, John James, Bill Huizenga, Mike Bouchard and Tom Barrett."
The call came after the president announced the event on social media less than an hour before it began. He told his Michigan followers to "answer your phones." It is not clear how many voters joined the line. This marks the president's last direct intervention in the state's political process, as he is not expected to campaign in Michigan again before the election.
Trump’s phone call followed a Tuesday appearance by Vice President JD Vance in Howell. Vance campaigned for many of the same candidates and discussed similar issues. Both leaders are focusing on the US Senate race between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, which Trump called the "most important" in state history. "Save Michigan from this embarrassment," Trump said during the call.
The Democratic ticket received a boost from former President Barack Obama, who rallied with candidates in Detroit last weekend. Obama called Nov. 3 the "last best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness" of the current administration. He stumped for El-Sayed, gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson, and other Democrats.
As of Nov. 1, just under 2.2 million Michigan residents had already cast absentee ballots or voted early in person. That figure represents about 29% of all active registered voters in the state, according to state records. Early voting ends Nov. 1, setting the stage for the final push in the state’s pivotal midterm contests.
Source: Bridge Michigan
