Michigan: The battleground state that could save America

Michigan has long been a cornerstone in America’s electoral landscape, and as we move closer to Election Day, its importance is once again undeniable. 

In 1960, John F. Kennedy narrowly won the state by about 67,000 votes, which contributed to his overall victory. In 1976, despite being President Gerald Ford’s home state, Michigan was crucial for Jimmy Carter’s win, as he took the state with 51.05% of the vote. 

In 2016, Donald Trump won Michigan by a slim margin of 10,704 votes, helping secure his Electoral College victory. Each of these elections underscores Michigan’s significance as a battleground state.

Former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris (Getty Images)

Here we are today. The fate of the White House could very well be decided in Michigan once again. With so much at stake, America First Works (AFW) has made Michigan a top priority in our mission to ensure that the America First agenda prevails. 

TRADITIONALLY DEM LEADERS IN KEY MICHIGAN VOTING BLOC DITCH HARRIS, ENDORSE TRUMP

This state isn’t just another piece on the electoral map – it is the battleground of battlegrounds.

Since June, AFW has been boots-on-the-ground in Michigan, and we’re still going strong. After analyzing 3,100 counties nationwide, Michigan emerged as one of the most critical to our efforts, with Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Kent at the forefront. Simply put, it’s these communities where elections are won and lost in this state, and we are putting everything we have into ensuring victory for President Trump and Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

AFW has always believed that change happens face-to-face, neighbor-to-neighbor, and our strategy reflects that. We’ve deployed a formidable field team – more than 400 paid canvassers who have knocked on an astounding 1.45 million doors across the state. 

EARLY VOTING DATA MAY BE SIGN OF IMPROVED GOP GROUND GAME IN PIVOTAL SWING STATE: EXPERT

In those interactions, we’re doing more than just delivering a message – building relationships, listening to concerns and inspiring hope. Michigan’s voters aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they are families who have been hit hard by the current administration’s reckless policies and deserve better. 

Our outreach efforts extend past the doorstep. We’ve followed up with more than 1.2 million text messages, ensuring the conversation doesn’t stop after the first knock. Why? Because we understand this election cannot be won with a single touchpoint. It requires ongoing, meaningful engagement. 

The keys for us were to leave no voter untouched, ensure no concern goes unheard and remind Michigan that this election is about their future – their families, jobs and safety.

But our efforts go beyond the numbers. AFW is working to empower communities by ensuring that local leaders have a platform to share their stories and inspire action. Take Dearborn, for example. This city, home to one of the largest Arab American communities in the country, is a microcosm of what’s at stake. 

UFC STARS TOUT TRUMP IN APPEAL TO ARAB AMERICAN VOTERS IN MICHIGAN

Abdulaziz, a local restaurant owner’s nephew, knocked on thousands of doors on behalf of AFW. He is one of more than 20 Arabic men and women knocking on doors. 

The young women knocked on doors to speak specifically with other young women on behalf of the America First agenda. Like so many others in their community, they understand the current administration's devastating effect on their lives.

Under the so-called leadership of Kamala Harris, families like Abdulaziz’s have seen their communities suffer. Her radical policies on gender ideology have torn apart families, especially in Michigan, where cultural and religious values hold significant importance. 

Harris’s support for woke education initiatives has led to confusion and frustration among parents. At the same time, her soft stance on foreign policy has left voters deeply concerned about America’s position on the world stage, particularly in the Middle East. Michigan’s Arab American community knows firsthand how Harris’s weak leadership is a threat to global stability, and they’re not willing to stand by and watch it continue.

In Michigan, the economy is top of mind for every voter we speak to – Black Americans, suburban moms and blue-collar workers alike. Rising costs, lost jobs and runaway inflation have squeezed them. 

Under the Biden-Harris administration, household debt has skyrocketed, grocery bills are unbearable, and once-thriving small businesses have shuttered their doors. These voters know that Kamala Harris’s economic policies – what we’ve termed "Kamalanomics" – are destroying their way of life. 

It’s clear that Michigan voters understand the stakes in this election. They’ve seen firsthand what’s happening in their communities: rising crime, economic despair and a lack of leadership. They know their votes could be the difference between another four years of radical policies and a return to commonsense governance.

AFW is proud to stand with the people of Michigan as we fight to take back the White House. This election is about the future of our nation, and Michigan is critical to that future. It’s about more than just flipping a few counties. It’s about securing a legacy for the next generation, one built on economic opportunity, national security, and putting America first.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ASHLEY HAYEK

Ashley Hayek is executive director of America First Works, former 2020 Trump Campaign Coalitions director and author of "Beat the Elites."