The days of the 2020 election are quickly ticking away, and the race has been marked by the incredible polarization between Donald Trump and Joe Biden for the record-breaking votes of Michigan: the working-class.
No other state in the US has such a strong historical background in working-class-oriented politics, and it is no doubt the deciding factor which can make or break either of the two campaigns. Trump enjoys the strong support of his base – chiefly hard-working, conservative, blue-collar workers – in Michigan to a considerable degree. On the other side, Biden has been successful in using his campaign strategies to win over the moderate voter population of the state.
The strong power of the working-class population in Michigan has forced both Trump and Biden to focus on their policies and plans for the middle-class families, farmers, and laborers that make up the majority of the voting population in the state. Biden has been pushing for an economic recovery plan that promises help to those struggling in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan, in addition to a national minimum wage of $15 an hour. On the other hand, Trump is relying on his ‘America First’ agenda which emphasizes his previous policies of cutting taxes and regulations, as well as protecting jobs lost due to increased global competition.
From recent polls, it is clear that both Trump and Biden have a strong foothold with Michigan’s working-class voters. Both campaigns have successfully tapped into the state’s long history of unionism and collective bargaining. They have both acknowledged the fact that the state’s working-class population is facing multiple obstacles, such as stagnant wages, lack of access to health care, and educational discrimination, among other challenges.
At the end of the day, only time will tell which candidate can connect with Michigan’s working-class voters better during these crucial times. The upcoming elections will determine who can tap into this powerful political demographic to solidify their victory in November.
