Created Equal: Is Michigan still a ‘blue wall’ state?

Although Michigan has historically been a “blue wall” state, there were several Republican victories in Michigan in the recent election. Democrats may have won the open U.S. Senate seat and increased their majority on the state Supreme Court, but they lost a Congressional seat and control of the Michigan House of Representatives. What does it mean, politically? And what does it mean going forward, in terms of policymaking? 

Zoe Clark, Michigan Public’s Political Director, Colin Jackson, a Capitol reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network (MPRN), and Chad Livengood, a politics editor and columnist at The Detroit News, joined the show to discuss the results of Michigan election races and what they mean for the future of the state. 

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Jackson explained that although Democrat Elissa Slotkin won against Mike Rogers in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, it was a very close race and very expensive for Slotkin. He also explained that Democrats had lost Slotkin’s old position as U.S Representative for Michigan’s 7th District to Republican Tom Barrett. Jackson attributed Democratic losses in Michigan to messaging from state Republicans, framing recent reforms made by the Democrat-controlled state House as overreaches.  

Livengood explained that although Michigan has historically been a part of the “blue wall” for presidential elections, many districts are seeing changes in demographics. This combined with Trump’s focus on low-propensity voters may have given him an advantage in the state. He also discussed Michigan’s recent redistricting and how it made some formerly blue districts harder to defend. 

Clark explained that although Trump won Michigan, the former President has never gotten over 50 percent of the state’s vote. She also explained that the state had a large voter turnout this year — and while this usually translates to sweeping Democratic victories, this election was more split and had much smaller margins. She attributed this to a lack of excitement about Democratic policies across many traditionally Democratic-voting demographics.  

“Whether we’re talking about folks who are concerned about what is happening in Gaza, or whether you’re talking about folks who were pro-Israel, whether you’re talking about union voters, whether you’re talking about Latino men — these groups that used to vote for Democrats are voting for Democrats less,” Clark said. 

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

Guests: 

• Zoe Clark is Michigan Public’s Political Director 
• Colin Jackson is a Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network (MPRN) 
• Chad Livengood is a politics editor and a columnist at The Detroit News  

Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.