HOWELL, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Michigan on Tuesday sought to rally Republican voters and undecideds one week before Election Day—and boost turnout in a county already familiar with showing up.
Pure Michigan voter turnout
Vance’s speech at CHI Aviation headquarters in Howell put the spotlight on a county with a strong voting record. Livingston County boasted Michigan’s second-highest turnout among active registered voters in 2024 at 86.4%, according to state data.
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Vance, a native Ohioan who knows something about rivalry with the Great Lakes State, wasted no time telling the audience exactly how he feels about Michiganders.
“I should be biased against you as a Buckeye,” Vance said. “But I love this beautiful state.”
Keeping the 2024 momentum going
His appearance Tuesday raises the question: Can Republicans carry presidential-year enthusiasm into a midterm election? Michigan’s 15 electoral votes went to Trump in 2024 despite Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer being part of Kamala Harris’ election campaign.
Vance’s visit followed President Donald Trump’s historic stop in Port Huron on Sunday—the first time a sitting president visited that city.
Michigan is a key focus for both parties. Trump’s rally came one day after former President Barack Obama stumped for Democrats Jocelyn Benson and Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit. El-Sayed is looking to shore up support among Black voters in Wayne County, where U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens won the Democratic Senate primary.
Benson is seeking to keep the governor’s office in Democratic hands after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer leaves office.
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The U.S. Senate race between El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers is one of the most closely watched races in the nation, and its outcome could help determine which party controls the chamber.
Howell’s role in a congressional race
Howell also has strategic importance because it sits in the 7th Congressional District, where Republican Tom Barrett faces Democrat William Lawrence, a former member of the Democratic Socialists of America, in a closely watched race.
Vance offered this final charge to the audience, encouraging voters to support John James, Rogers and Barrett.
“Michigan, are we going to stand with the fighters who are going to stand with us? Are we going to stand with people who believe in America? Ladies and gentlemen, send a message on November 3—Michigan belongs to those that love it, not those who hate it,” Vance said.
Early voting is underway in Michigan, where about 1.39 million voters had cast ballots as of Tuesday morning. That represents 18.8% of active registered voters, according to reporting on the Michigan Voting Dashboard.
