By ggablog 
Detroit, the heart of the U.S. auto industry, has seen both boom times and busts. Michigan’s largest city, now a battleground in a closely contested presidential race, has drawn multiple campaign visits from Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The city’s voters may ultimately play a decisive role in determining the next U.S. president.
On October 18, 2024, the Detroit skyline was a vivid backdrop as Bishop John Drew Sheard rallied his congregation at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ for the “most consequential presidential election of a lifetime.” As Harris approached the pulpit, Sheard cheered, “She’s in Detroit! Come on, Detroit!” The congregation quieted as Harris began her speech, highlighting a commitment to justice and a vision of a more inclusive future.
Harris’s Detroit stop underscored the significance of Michigan, with its 15 electoral votes, in the upcoming election. In 2016, Hillary Clinton narrowly lost the state to Trump. Today, polls show a tight race, with Harris facing potential losses in key communities, including the traditionally Democratic Arab-American vote, due to discontent over U.S. policy on the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts.
Detroit remains a Democratic stronghold, yet Trump’s campaign has made strides with Black male voters, auto industry workers, and business owners. At a recent Detroit Economic Club event, Trump warned that electing Harris would turn the country into “another Detroit,” a remark that angered local officials who noted Detroit’s recent economic recovery.
Amid these tensions, Detroiters hold varied views. IT professional Sharon Jackson dismissed Trump’s economic warnings, voicing confidence in Harris’s record. Meanwhile, many are concerned with the city’s auto industry facing a new challenge from China’s dominance in electric vehicles (EVs). Trump has used the EV debate to rally support, framing Harris as a “globalist” and linking her policies to job losses. While this resonates with some, others like union member Dynita McCaskill remain wary of Trump’s rhetoric, emphasizing that workers need support beyond partisan labels.
For McCaskill, the choice between Harris and Trump is clear but tempered with realism. Reflecting the resilience of Detroit, she asserted that, regardless of the election’s outcome, her life and responsibilities will remain steady.