The Metro: Michigan Republicans work to gain support in metro Detroit

Southeast Michigan’s politics have changed a lot in recent decades.  

Oakland County has turned more Democrat, while Macomb has become more solidly Republican.  

But none of the tri-county area is guaranteed for either party — that’s even true of Wayne County. While Detroit is more difficult to win, Republicans have a better shot at organizing votes around Downriver communities and the more northern suburbs.  

So, what are state Republicans doing right now to win over voters in Wayne County? And is there a plan to persuade and turn out moderate voters?  

To discuss this, we’re joined by Vice Chair of the Michigan Republican Party Hassan Nehme. He says many Republican voters are hesitant to share and have conversations around their political beliefs.

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“There’s so many people that are Republican, but like undercover. I mean, we need to have this discussion out in the open and be able to talk to move our country forward,” Nehme said. “So we need to make it okay for them to speak.”

Nehme is seeing less of an allegiance to political parties.  

“It’s not because the Republican[s] and Democrat[s] fight anymore. I’ll say personally, mine is religious liberties,” Nehme shared. “But a lot of people — especially of color groups, minority groups, different faiths — are jumping into the Republican Party for these issues. Not so much the overall…the jacket term per se.”

More headlines from The Metro for Aug. 12, 2024: 

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• CuriosID: WDET reporter Amanda LeClaire investigated the history of the Belle Isle Boathouse and how it fell into disrepair. Earlier this year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced plans to demolish the building due to limited funding. But there’s been a valiant attempt to save it. State officials have placed an open call for proposals to rehabilitate the building. Those proposals are currently being evaluated by the DNR.
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