Michelle Obama, Harris, and Trump rally for votes in key Michigan battleground

Across Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris and former First Lady Michelle Obama held a rally in Kalamazoo. The duo emphasised Democratic priorities on issues like abortion rights, union protections, and economic policies impacting Michigan’s auto industry.

Michelle Obama and Harris depart after speaking at the campaign rally. (AP photo)

Earlier in the day, Harris met with healthcare providers in Portage, Michigan, spotlighting the healthcare crisis following the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned national abortion rights.

With around 8.4 million registered voters and 15 crucial electoral votes, Michigan is one of the critical swing states in the election. The state was narrowly won by Biden in 2020 after Trump took it by a slim margin in 2016.

Currently, Harris holds a narrow lead over Trump both nationally and in Michigan, though margins remain tight according to recent polls.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump departs after speaking during a campaign rally at the Suburban Collection Showplace, in Novi, Michigan. (AP photo)

Michigan’s newly implemented early voting procedures and mail-in ballot processing are underway, with about 19.5% of registered voters, or nearly 1.42 million people, having already voted. This marks the first election in Michigan allowing early in-person voting.

In an effort to energise their bases, both campaigns leaned on celebrity endorsements. Michelle Obama’s appearance follows recent appearances by musicians Bruce Springsteen and Beyoncé with Harris, while Trump has enlisted figures like Kid Rock and Hulk Hogan to join his rallies.

In pictures | US presidential campaign heats up as November election nears

Michelle Obama used her platform to draw sharp contrasts between the two campaigns. Referencing Trump’s divisive rhetoric, she pointed to his comments on “Black jobs” being threatened by migrants. Obama remarked, “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs?’”

With both Harris and Trump making final pushes in Michigan, each is vying to secure the narrow margins needed to sway the state’s electoral votes as the race tightens in the final days leading up to November 5.

(With inputs from Reuters)