EAST LANSING (WWJ/AP) Vice President Kamala Harris stopped in Pontiac, Detroit, and Michigan State University in East Lansing—during a final campaign push two days before the election.
The Democratic presidential nominee began her day with a talk at Greater Emanuel Institutional Church of God on Schaefer Highway on Detroit’s west side, then picked up lunch at Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles, a Detroit restaurant owned by former Lions player, Ron Bartell. After lunch; she visited Elam's Barber and Beauty Shop, a Black-owned business in Pontiac, where she took part in a moderated conversation with local leaders and Black men.
She finished her day on campus with a rally in front of a large group comprised mostly of Michigan State University students—many of whom will be voting for the first time in this election.
During her speech; she declared the government should not tell women what to do with their bodies and spoke of ending the Israel-Hamas War.
“As president I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure and ensure the Palestinian people can realize their right to freedom, dignity and self-determination,” she said toward the beginning of her remarks.
At least one student—who was among several to voice opposition and call for a ceasefire— was escorted out.
Harris urged the students not only to vote, but to encourage their friends to do so as well.
Battleground state Michigan—along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin— are critical to Harris in this election. Trump flipped all three states back to red in 2016— after Former President Barack Obama won them in 2008 and 2012. Biden returned them to blue in 2020.
Losing any of the three would pressure Harris to win any, or all, of the four Sun Belt battleground states: North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada.
In the meantime, Former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to be back in Michigan on Monday. His campaign announced he will hold a 10:30 p.m. rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on the final night before the Election.
On Friday, Trump was in Michigan for a rally in Warren. He also visited a small coffee shop called the Great Commoner in Dearborn.
It was a candidate’s first visit to the primarily Muslim city. The Muslim vote is expected to play a large part in this election because many remain undecided. During the primary, more than 100,000 voted “uncommitted” because they did not like the Biden administration’s response to the Israel-Hamas War.
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, held a rally in Portage—south of Kalamazoo—that same day. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, also spoke with UAW members in Taylor on Friday afternoon.
Early Voting has ended in Michigan. The Election is only one full day away.
Both candidates outline their goals for their presidency and their policies in campaign literature on their official websites. You can read Trump's here, and Harris' here.
You have the right to register to vote and vote until 8 p.m. on Election Day (November 5th).