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Harris vows to defend Michigan auto manufacturing jobs at massive Flint rally

By Kyle Kaminski

October 4, 2024
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Thousands of Michiganders packed inside Dort Financial Center in Flint to rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris during her fourth campaign stop in Michigan. 

FLINT—Vice President Kamala Harris billed ex-President Donald Trump as “one of the biggest losers of manufacturing jobs in American history” during a rally in Flint on Friday evening, which marked her fourth stop in Michigan since she became the Democratic presidential nominee.

“Donald Trump makes big promises and he always fails to deliver,” Harris told thousands of Michiganders who packed inside the Dort Financial Center. “He said he was the only one who could bring back America’s manufacturing jobs. Remember that? And then America lost nearly 200,000 manufacturing jobs when he was president—including tens of thousands of jobs in Michigan. … And his track record for the auto industry was a disaster.”

Harris spoke for about 25 minutes, focusing much of her remarks on drawing a sharp contrast between her plan for an “opportunity economy” that prioritizes workers, their labor unions, and their middle class families—and what she described as a “very different approach” under Trump. 

“We know this election is about two very different visions for our nation,” Harris said. “We are fighting for a future where we tap into the ambitions and the aspirations of the American people … so every American has an opportunity to own a home, build wealth, [and] start a business.”

Among the policies and plans that Harris mentioned on Friday:

“We need to lower the cost of living,” she said. “Things like groceries are still too high. You know it and I know it. And I have a plan to lower costs on everything from healthcare to groceries.”

Michigan auto workers and their families, however, took center stage—and dozens of rows inside—on Friday with a lineup of speakers that included United Auto Workers union (UAW) President Shawn Fain and Eric Price, president of UAW Local 651, who introduced Harris.

“The stakes are high in this election,” Price told the crowd. “Kamala is running for president to help families like mine and yours. I’m supporting her because she’ll bring taxes down and she’ll bring costs down and cut taxes for the middle class. She’ll make it easier for all of us to get a house, and start a business—and she’ll make sure that we keep investing in the auto workers and the future of this industry. But Donald Trump is not thinking about that. He’s a billionaire.”

Ahead of Election Day, thousands of union workers and retirees across Michigan—including 245,000 Teamsters—have thrown their support behind Harris’ campaign for president. And Harris didn’t let voters forget about what happened to Michigan’s economy under Trump.

During Trump’s time in the White House, Michigan lost about 280,000 jobs, data shows. That includes tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs that ultimately moved overseas after several automotive factories, like a General Motors facility near Detroit, shut down their operations.

“Donald Trump is no friend of labor. He encouraged automakers to move their plants out of Michigan so they could pay their workers less,” Harris said. “But Flint, we know strong unions mean higher wages, better healthcare and greater dignity for union members and for everyone.”

Under the Biden-Harris administration, manufacturing jobs have increased by more than 700,000, including about 20,000 new manufacturing jobs in Michigan—with more on the way.

The Inflation Reduction Act has already fueled $27 billion in funding that is expected to create  nearly 22,000 new jobs in Michigan

But those investments could be at risk if Trump were to become president. 

Republicans in the House of Representatives have already passed a bill to repeal the Biden-Harris administration’s clean energy plan—though it’s gone nowhere with a Democratic-controlled Senate and White House—and Trump has also promised to begin peeling back those clean energy investments on “Day 1.” Additionally, Project 2025, the far-right plan for a second Trump term, details plans to repeal both the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—which could eliminate tens of thousands of union jobs nationwide.

And during a campaign stop in Michigan this week, Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance reportedly refused to commit to upholding a $500 million federal grant from the Biden-Harris administration that would convert the General Motors Lansing Grand River Plant, which currently makes Cadillac sedans, into a future electric vehicle assembly factory

Vance has since taken heat over the comments, including from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has said Vance’s remarks essentially serve as a “middle finger to Michigan auto workers.” 

“You cannot tell me you care about the people of Michigan if you’re going to undermine the core of our economy in Michigan,” Whitmer told the crowd before Harris took the stage. “It’s pretty simple. When you have a chance to save hundreds of good paying Michigan auto jobs and create more, you take it. Instead, the Trump-Vance ticket is giving the middle finger to workers.”

Harris also took a moment to blast Vance over his apparent indifference to the project.

“He might let the Grand River Assembly Plant in Lansing close down—the same plant that our administration helped save earlier this year, along with 650 union jobs,” Harris said. “Michigan, we together fought hard for those jobs. And you deserve a president who won’t put them at risk.”

About three hours ahead of Harris’ speech, long lines of enthusiastic rally-goers stretched into the street outside of the Dort Financial Center, all waiting to hear the vice president lay out her vision for the next four years, as well as warn of the dangers of a second Trump presidency.

Other speakers at the rally included professional basketball legend Magic Johnson, who enthusiastically endorsed Harris, as well as US Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, and US Rep. Elissa Slotkin. 

“She wants to build up the middle class. And I know something about the middle class because I come from a middle class family,” Johnson said. “She’s smart, she’s strong, she’s passionate. Nobody’s going to outwork her. She’s committed to you as the people of the United States.”

READ MORE: Michigan unions back Kamala Harris, tout her efforts to help workers

For the latest Michigan news, follow The ‘Gander on Twitter.

Follow Political Correspondent Kyle Kaminski here.

Author

  • Kyle Kaminski

    Kyle Kaminski is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience covering news across Michigan. Prior to joining The ‘Gander, Kyle worked as the managing editor at City Pulse in Lansing and as a reporter for the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

CATEGORIES: NATIONAL POLITICS
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