FLINT, Michigan — Democrats across the country are fretting about Pennsylvania, a blue wall state that could crumble Vice President Kamala Harris’ most straightforward path to victory. But Michigan Democrats are also warning that their state hangs on a knife’s edge.
Party leaders are anxious about the Great Lakes state slipping away as polls continue to show a close race with former President Donald Trump, even with the party’s renewed enthusiasm surrounding Harris’ candidacy. They worry that Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, are increasing their presence in Michigan and appealing to a swath of voters Harris is working hard to win over: Black men and white, working-class people. And despite support from the local union chapters, decisions from the Teamsters and Firefighters unions to not endorse either candidate has sparked concerns that the GOP nominee could have higher-than-expected support among union members, especially men.
Democrats also say Harris faces a unique challenge ahead, as she must continue to define herself and her policy plans in the last stretch of the race in order to bring in key voting blocs who are still unsure about the vice president and her agenda.