Michigan voters share why they’re supporting Kamala Harris at Flint rally

Thousands of Michiganders rallied in Flint to show support for Vice President Kamala Harris. We asked several voters to explain why they’re backing her presidential campaign.

GENESEE COUNTY—Thousands of Michiganders packed inside a large hockey arena in Flint this month to see Vice President Kamala Harris make her fourth campaign stop in Michigan since she became the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.

Harris spent much of her 25-minute speech laying out the sharp contrast between her plan for an “opportunity economy” that prioritizes workers and middle class families and what she described as a “very different approach” under ex-President Donald Trump.

And for some voters, last week’s rally helped solidify their choice to back Harris over Trump this year, as well as elect other Democratic candidates over Republicans up and down their ballots.

“The last eight years have been really stressful—time for a change,” Jim Hall, of Burton, told The ‘Gander. “All I can really say is I’ve been a nervous wreck for a while and I trust [Harris] totally.”

During her remarks, Harris said this year’s election is “about two very different visions for our nation” and zeroed in on the roughly 280,000 jobs that Michigan lost (as well as the six automotive manufacturing plants that closed) during Trump’s time in the White House.

“We are fighting for a future where we tap into the ambitions of the American people—so every American has an opportunity to own a home, build wealth, [and] start a business,” Harris said.

Under nearly four years of the Biden-Harris administration, by comparison, manufacturing jobs have increased nationwide by more than 700,000, including about 20,000 new manufacturing jobs in Michigan. The Inflation Reduction Act has also already fueled $27 billion in funding that is expected to create nearly 22,000 new jobs in Michigan. 

And for some attendees at last week’s rally, those numbers spoke for themselves.

“Clearly, she’s pro-worker,” Lori Pincumbe, of Williamston, told The ‘Gander. “Michigan’s economy needs somebody like her—not a grifter, not somebody who’s going to step into office to make money for himself and his favorite people, or the people that suck up to him. She’s going to take care of us. She’s done that her entire career and she deserves to be here.” 

Added Melvin Smith, of Grand Blanc: “They say a few may change things. If they can’t see what’s going on and make those decisions to vote, then I don’t know what it is going to take.”

What else are voters saying?

Beyond grilling Trump for being “one of the biggest losers of manufacturing jobs in American history,” Harris also criticized him for making big promises and then failing to deliver on them—including when he promised that no automotive factories would close under his watch.

Jill Foss, of Flint, said that she expects Harris’ middle-class upbringing to play a key role in inspiring new policies that directly benefit the middle class—especially for Michigan workers.

That includes Harris’ plans to:

• Expand a tax deduction for costs that are incurred while starting a small business
• Invest in affordable housing to build 3 million new homes, expand tax credits for first-time homebuyers, and hold corporate landlords accountable for unfair rent increases
• Pass the first-ever federal price gouging ban on groceries
• Lower prescription drug costs for Michiganders 
• Cap child care costs and expand the federal Child Tax Credit

“She knows the struggle,” Foss said. “She’s also educated and articulate. She has shown that she is the right candidate and the right fit, and definitely the way forward for this country.”

Harris also warned voters of the consequences of the Republican-led Project 2025 agenda, which includes plans for a second Trump term that would reshape policies dealing with everything from public education and reproductive rights to student loans and tax rates.

“For me, honestly, looking back at history, [Trump] is replaying some really, really scary moments in our history, especially in European history and the idea of a fascist state,” Pincumbe told The ‘Gander. “It’s clear where this is heading. [Trump] has no intention of leaving office.”

Pincumbe also said she’s voting for Harris (and other Democratic candidates) this year because she’s not a fan of Republican-led campaigns that have sought to dehumanize LGBTQ people and have led to certain books being banned from public and school libraries in Michigan.

“Book banning? Really? Is this Nazi Germany? I don’t think young people realize how fragile all of these rights are, for all of us to have an equal chance in this country,” Pincumbe added. “I’m afraid that we won’t get to vote anymore. I’m afraid that this is a dictatorship on the way in.”

“Voting rights, women’s rights, and just democracy and decency. It’s as simple as that,” Teresa Hammond-Cross, of Davison, said. “We could lose what we have. [Trump] changes the whole dynamic, the whole climate. … I just don’t understand what [his supporters] see in him.”

Undecided voter?

Several rally goers also offered advice to undecided voters ahead of Election Day.

Laurie Greyerbiehl, of Genesee County, encourages Michiganders to read up on the candidates from sources other than their social media pages, explore their policies and positions, and make a decision “based on [who’s] closest to your own morals.” 

Libby Benton, of Ann Arbor, also thinks Michigan voters should consider the “temperament” of each candidate before they vote.

“I think that [Harris] understands where we’re coming from and I think she’s going to bring that into the White House with every decision she makes,” Benton said. “I think that we need to think about who’s going to be in those meetings, making the tough decisions, who’s going to pick up the phone if there’s a disaster? I think we need someone with Kamala Harris’s temperament.”

Betsy Best, of Flushing, encouraged voters to consider reading Harris’ book—The Truths We Hold—to better familiarize themselves with her background and her personal upbringing. 

Hammond-Cross also offered some bigger-picture sort of advice to Michigan voters.

“They want to tear us down and make you believe things are bad and they’re really not,” Hammond-Cross said. “Look around you. Don’t let the fear factor get you. Vote with joy.”

READ MORE: Harris vows to defend Michigan manufacturing jobs at massive Flint rally

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