Detroit turnout takes center stage as voters weigh Michigan’s US Senate race

DETROIT— Despite backlash from Democratic lawmakers over U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Detroit-area voters say the move only reinforced their support for Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. 

Aijah Greer, 27, of Detroit told Michigan Advance that it did more good than harm for Democrats and that El-Sayed should thank Stevens if he wins.

“It was a poor decision on her part,” Greer said. “She should have stuck with where she was at instead of switching over, especially so late in the race.” 

Greer listed gas prices, housing, healthcare and education as her biggest concerns. 

“What he’s doing aligns with all the changes I want to see. Mike Rogers is not really for us and I feel like Abdul is more for us, the people,” she said. 

The endorsement sent shockwaves through the party. State and federal lawmakers condemned Stevens, calling her decision “despicable” and a betrayal. Stevens had initially endorsed El-Sayed after losing to him in the Democratic primary.

Shortly after she endorsed Rogers, Curtis Hertel Jr., chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, announced in a social media post that Stevens was no longer a member of the party. 

“I can’t stop her from running as a Democrat but she will have no tools with the Democratic Party moving forward,” Hertel told Don Lemon in an interview on Monday. 

By the time Stevens endorsed Rogers on Sunday, more than 2.3 million Michigan residents had already voted either by mail or at an early voting site, according to Michigan’s Department of State. That number had grown to over 2.5 million by 1 p.m. Tuesday.

High voter turnout in Detroit is seen as integral to success for Democratic candidates, especially El-Sayed. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said she expected between 100,000 and 130,000 voters to cast ballots at their polling locations .

“Voting is the heart of democracy and we need everyone in the city of Detroit and in the state of Michigan to participate in the process today,” Winfrey told reporters late Tuesday morning.

Winfrey expected turnout to be at about 45%, which would beat 2018’s 42% rate.

Richard Newell of Highland Park also cited the rising cost of living as one of his biggest concerns. It was the 80-year-old’s first time voting. 

“As it stands now, groceries and gas are literally robbing the people,” Newell said. “The Republican Party, as I see it, they’re just terrorizing the community.” 

He called Stevens’ endorsement a “betrayal” but that it made him more excited to vote for El-Sayed. 

“He’s a medical professional, he has an empathetic heart and I think his concerns are in the right place,” he said. 

Newell also found it touching when El-Sayed spoke about his daughters, especially because youth violence is another one of his concerns. 

“There’s a lot of peer pressure,” he said. “If you don’t hurt somebody or you aren’t in a gang, you’re considered an outsider and I think we need more focus on younger people coming up because it’s deplorable.” 

Another first-time voter, Airyana Davis of Detroit, described her experience as exciting but nerve racking. 

“There’s a first time for everything,” the 19-year-old said. She encouraged other people her age to make their voices heard by voting.