President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump Set to Secure Primary Wins in Michigan
Michigan served as the battleground for the primaries of both major political parties on Tuesday, with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump projected to secure victories in their respective races.
Biden Overcomes Organized Resistance from Michigan Democrats
Despite organized resistance led by Arab and Muslim Americans, who sought to send a message about the political costs of Biden’s support for Israel in a crucial swing state, Biden managed to overcome the effort. Although this resistance had garnered over 16% of the votes by 9 p.m., Biden was on a clear path to securing the Democratic nomination for a second term.
The Importance of Michigan in Presidential Elections
Michigan, which holds significant importance as a presidential swing state that helped Trump clinch the White House in 2016 with a near 11,000-vote win, was also home to one of the largest Arab American communities in the United States. In 2020, nearly 146,000 Muslim Americans cast their votes in Michigan’s general election.
Biden’s Support in Michigan
Biden had put considerable political effort into Michigan, where Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a strong supporter of abortion rights and a potential 2024 Democratic contender, had endorsed him. In 2020, Biden walked the picket line with the United Auto Workers union during a strike against major auto manufacturers and won their endorsement in January.
The Michigan Republican Primary: A Contentious Battle for Delegates
For the Republicans, Tuesday’s primary marked the first of two contests in Michigan that would determine the state’s 2024 presidential delegates. Trump was anticipated to secure a considerable number of delegates during Saturday’s convention, where Michigan Republicans were currently engaged in a heated performance over who would lead the party.
Michigan Republicans’ Reaction to Democratic Changes to the Presidential Nominating Calendar
The split contests to award delegates were a result of Republicans’ reaction to Democrats’ decision to shake up their party’s presidential nominating calendar after the 2020 election. This included demoting Iowa and New Hampshire and promoting South Carolina and Nevada, as well as placing Michigan third in the new lineup. Michigan Republicans had opposed this earlier state primary, arguing that it violated Republican National Committee rules.
The Battle for the Michigan GOP Chair
To further complicate matters, the Michigan GOP was in the midst of a fierce performance over who would lead the party. Pete Hoekstra, a former congressman and US ambassador to the Netherlands, had been recognized by both the RNC and Trump as the rightful chair. However, Kristina Karamo, an election conspiracy theorist who had been voted out of her position in January, refused to relinquish control and was holding a rival convention in Detroit. The RNC’s recognition of Hoekstra signaled that they would accept delegates from the convention he oversaw.
