As someone who has spent years in public life as a policy leader and Member of Congress, fighting for opportunity for Michigan’s citizens — I know first-hand the election stakes this November. While some voters may be frustrated about a whole host of issues, a protest vote only increases the likelihood that Donald Trump will win. As such, I urge all Michiganders to come together and vote for the Harris-Walz ticket.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz offer an Opportunity Agenda and vision for all of America.
Trump, angry MAGA extremists, and white nationalists offer the country a disruptive agenda only propelled by their harmful Project 2025 plan. It’s real: this election more than any other before it will determine what kind of country we live in, whether our economy continues to thrive — and whether our civil rights will survive.
We’ve already seen the disaster a Trump presidency brings for Michigan. He has ridiculed Detroit and autoworkers. He tried to eliminate the Affordable Health Care Act 60 times, which would complicate health care for 1.4 million Michiganders and kick those with pre-existing conditions off of health insurance. And a return of Trump promises to be even worse: as his power will be unchecked.
Basic rights will be threatened or taken away. Here’s what to expect: Trump will work to enact a national abortion ban, eliminating IVF, and birth control. Workers’ rights and protections – gone. Environmental justice measures – ended. Ramped up policing without protections. A decline in manufacturing caused by disinvestment. Handing world leadership to Russia and China. And they’ll work to confirm judges who will be all too eager to implement his extreme agenda.
Michigan is the frontline in ensuring this doesn’t happen. In 2016, a razor-thin margin of just 10,000 Michiganders handed Donald Trump the presidency. Third-party candidate Jill Stein took 50,000 votes, thwarting a Hillary Clinton victory. Stein’s on the Michigan ballot again this year, along with Cornel West, Robert Kennedy, Jr., and other third-party spoilers.
It’s understandable why Michiganders may want to register a protest vote on a particular issue, but we must remember that third-party candidates like Stein and West cannot win this election. What they can do is return us to Donald Trump — and that’s why MAGA donors and Republican operatives are working behind the scenes to prop them up and fund their campaigns.
Jill Stein has partnered with GOP operatives and lawyers. Donald Trump himself said, “Jill Stein, I like her very much … You know why? She takes 100% from [Democrats].” Jill Stein’s own family doesn’t support her candidacy and urged her not to run. Cornel West has Republican operatives working for him across the country. And even though RFK, Jr. has dropped out of the race, he’s on our ballot. Voting for him or any of the others here pushes Trump closer to victory.
The road to the White House goes through Michigan; that’s truer today than ever. Michiganders have the power to decide the outcome of this election; let’s harness that power to protect our democracy and build a better future by voting for the Harris-Walz ticket — and keep Donald Trump, his extreme policies and chaos, far away from the White House.