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Weekly Roundup: Debate Night, Chair Barnes on CNN, and Gov. Walz in Michigan Energize Voters

Government and Politics

September 13, 2024


In yet another busy week, Michiganders had a front-row seat to the presidential election 

LANSING — This week, Vice President Kamala Harris took on Donald Trump in her first presidential debate on national television in prime time, kicking off another jam-packed week of election activity for Michiganders. At debate watch parties across the state, Michiganders were ready to hear more about Harris’s visions for building a better, brighter future for all Americans. 

On Thursday, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes spoke with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer about the energy on the ground in Michigan and Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Walz’s commitment to earning Michiganders’ votes. Chair Barnes highlighted Michigan’s important status as a battleground state just a day ahead of Walz’s two-day trip to Grand Rapids and Lansing on Thursday and Friday. 

During his Tour de Michigan, Governor Walz highlighted the New Way Forward that Harris and Walz are fighting for in contrast to Trump’s Project 2025 agenda. Make no mistake, Trump plans to keep lining the pockets of the wealthy at the expense of working families while Harris will lower costs for middle-class Michigan families by making billionaires pay their fair share. The choice could not be more clear, and this November, voters will deliver Michigan for Harris and Walz and once again reject Trump’s MAGA agenda. 

Check out more highlights from this week below: 

Tuesday night, Michigan Dems gathered all across the state to watch Vice President Kamala Harris prosecute the case against Donald Trump in the first presidential debate since she became the Democratic nominee. From Lansing to Traverse City to Detroit, Michigan Dems were excited to show up for Harris and watch her tell the truth about who Trump is: 

On Thursday morning, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes spoke with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer about the debate, Governor Tim Walz’s visit to Michigan, and its status as a battleground state. Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz know that Michigan is a dead heat, and that’s why they are showing up to tell their story and earn every vote from now until November. As Chair Barnes put it, “There is no complacency here in Michigan, we’re working hard right up through the end, and Governor Walz is going to help us do that today and tomorrow”: 

CNN: Walz Heads to Michigan to Kick off Battleground State Blitz

The week wrapped up with Governor Walz coming to Grand Rapids and Lansing to talk about the stakes of the election for Michiganders and their families. Walz spoke to crowded rooms about how important each vote is for delivering this state for Kamala Harris: 

Detroit Free Press: Tim Walz stumps for Kamala Harris in East Lansing

  • “I don’t think you can underestimate when young people get involved in the process, it reinforces to everyone that the future can be brighter and that our democracy is strong,” Walz said…
  • “Look, we’re a big country with a lot of differences, but if we share those core values and then come together around those core values to compromise on things that move us forward, we know that’s how things will work,” he said.

And, once again, here are some of our favorite tweets from the week: 

Thanks for sticking with us, and we look forward to everything next week brings. Til then. 

Signing off, 

Michigan Dems 

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