Voters in Critical Michigan County Focused on Economy, Candidate Character as 2024 Race Tightens
Voters in Kent County, Michigan, a swing county in one of the seven key swing states, are expressing doubts about both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The county, which includes Michigan’s second-largest city of Grand Rapids and much of the surrounding area, holds over 6% of the state’s population and has traditionally been known as a conservative haven.
However, recent trends have seen a shift in voter preferences. In 2008, former President Barack Obama captured the county, and in 2012, Sen. Mitt Romney won it. In 2016, Trump took Kent County, but it went back to Democrats in 2020 when President Biden won the area.
Current voters in Kent County are focused on the economy and candidate character. One undecided voter noted, “I think there is too much division in this country. I think people on the left and people on the right hate each other a lot and I don’t think that’s right”.
Immigration and the economy are significant issues for some voters. One voter expressed support for Harris, stating, “People having the rights to be in our country and the rights to health care” are important to him. He also hoped Harris could bring down housing costs and inflation for young people like himself.
Another voter disagreed, arguing that Trump is the right candidate to lead the country forward due to his business experience. This voter also supported Trump on foreign policy, stating, “I think he was not afraid to stand up for what he felt is right. I think other world leaders took note of that”.
Despite these views, many voters remain undecided, with one voter noting, “One day I’ll go one way and another day I’ll go another way. It’s hard to take her seriously, nothing sticks out about her”. The divisive nature of modern politics is a significant challenge for many voters in Kent County.
