Trump - Biden Showdown, Senate Race Top Michigan's Ballot
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Joe Biden was seeking to reclaim the once - reliably blue Michigan for Democrats, while President Donald Trump was trying to again seize the key battleground state.
Tuesday's election also featured the state's most competitive U.S. Senate race in 20 years, between Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and Republican John James, several closely watched U.S. House contests and a dogfight for control of the state House.
A look at the election:
PRESIDENT
Trump smashed the "blue wall" in his first White House bid, narrowly winning Michigan and two other states that had not backed a Republican nominee in decades. The margin of victory in Michigan, about two - tenths of a percentage point, was the closest of any state in 2016. Michigan is critical this time around, too, and turnout was expected to be high.
Biden, determined not to take the state for granted while leading in polls, visited three times in October — once in the final week — speaking at small events with social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Running mate Kamala Harris planned to campaign in Detroit on Tuesday afternoon.
Trump campaigned in the state six times since September, including four days in the final week, holding big rallies. He again closed his campaign in Grand Rapids on the eve of the election, as he did four years ago.
He focused attention on Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is not up for reelection until 2022. Whitmer took aggressive steps to curb the coronavirus in a state that was a hot spot nationally early on and — after she criticized the federal response — drew criticism from Trump, who in March urged Vice President Mike Pence not to call "the woman in Michigan" and in April tweeted, "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!" He continued to criticize her after authorities announced they had thwarted an alleged plot to kidnap her.
Adamaris Rivera, 19, voted in her first presidential election at the Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School in Grand Rapids. Although her parents told her Trump has been good for the economy, Rivera said the way the president pits white against non - white people led to "too much oppression." The Grand Valley State University student said she would vote for Biden, but expressed mixed emotions. "I'm happy to vote, but stressed out about what the outcome will be," she said. "Either way, it will be bad."
Karan Beaty, a 49 - year - old paraprofessional at an elementary school, voted for Trump at the Novi Public Library, citing the president's support of the U.S. auto industry. Beaty said she would "move on," though, if Democratic candidate Joe Biden wins. "I'm just kind of that type of person," she said. "If Biden wins, I wish him the best."
Latic Chambers, 32, who owns a disinfectant business in Detroit, said she "voted for Biden and the straight (Democratic) ticket because I just didn't like how things are going in the last four years and I hope to change things in the next four years."
SENATE
Michigan's Senate race between Peters and James was too early to call Wednesday morning, with many votes still uncounted. Peters, eyeing a second term, faced a tough challenge from James, a Black business executive and combat veteran who was looking to become just the second Michigan Republican to serve in the Senate in more than 40 years. Democrats likely could not afford to lose the seat if they were to flip four to take the majority. A deluge of TV ads reflected it was a heavily contested race.
HOUSE
In the 2018 midterm, Democrats Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens flipped Republican - held House districts in suburban Detroit and appear poised to keep them. The battleground shifted westward.
With five - term Libertarian Rep. Justin Amash's retirement, Hillary Scholten hoped to become the first House Democrat in 44 years and just the second in over a century to represent Grand Rapids, if she could defeat Republican Peter Meijer in the 3rd District.
In southwestern Michigan's 6th District, 17 - term Rep. Fred Upton looked to fend off Jon Hoadley, who could become the state's first openly gay congressman.
LEGISLATURE
Democrats must net at least four seats to control the state House for the first time in a decade. A Democratic majority would set the agenda and ease first - term Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's ability to enact legislation. Whitmer has campaigned for candidates in places like suburban Detroit, Kalamazoo and Traverse City. The Republican - led Senate is not up for election.
SUPREME COURT
The Michigan Supreme Court's recent 4 - 3 decision to strike down a law that underpinned Whitmer's COVID - 19 emergency orders put extra attention on the race for two seats. Justice Stephen Markman, author of the opinion, is retiring.
If Chief Justice Bridget Mc- Cormack and Elizabeth Welch win, Democratic nominees will be in the court's majority for the first time since 2010 and could rule on restrictions that were reinstated by the Whitmer administration after the ruling.
Republicans nominated Mary Kelly and Brock Swartzle.
BALLOT ISSUES
Michigan voters were asked by lawmakers to adopt two amendments to the state constitution.
One would change how royalties paid by developers of state - owned minerals — primarily oil and natural gas — can be spent under a popular program that buys land for public use and supports projects such as construction of trails, playgrounds and boat launches.
The other would require a search warrant before police examine a wireless phone or other electronic devices.
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