Voters in key counties in Michigan's battleground state are likely to recognize the Midwestern roots of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, even if the Republican vice presidential candidate is an alum of his hated rival. I believe that this helps to appeal to people.
“In addition to being a Buckeyes fan, he has a good story. He grew up in extreme poverty in a way and was able to overcome it,” one Detroit voter said Tuesday in a statement from the city. Speaking to Fox News Digital ahead of Vance's event in the United States, this story of Vance shows how people can achieve the “American Dream.”
The comments came as the presidential election draws to a close, with the event in Detroit just four weeks before Election Day. Michigan was won by former President Donald Trump by a narrow margin in 2016, but was again won by President Biden in 2020, so it is expected to play a key role in determining the final winner. There is.
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Sen. J.D. Vance, Republican of Ohio and the Republican vice presidential candidate, attends a campaign event with former President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, USA, Saturday, October 5, 2024. Arrival (not pictured) (Justin Merriman/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The 2024 race is shaping up to be a close one again, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading President Trump by just half a point as of Wednesday, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average.
Wayne County, which includes Detroit, is Michigan's most populous county and could play a key role in determining who emerges victorious in the state.
The county has traditionally supported Democratic candidates, but Republicans have made inroads with Wayne County voters since President Trump's 2016 campaign. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) received just over 26% of the county's vote in his 2012 campaign, while the late Sen. John McCain received just under 25% in his 2008 White House bid. I couldn't get it. But Trump did better in two elections, winning more than 29% of the vote and more than 30% in Wayne County in 2016 and 2020.
The Trump campaign hopes that appealing to working-class voters will lead to further penetration of Wayne County voters, a strategy in which Mr. Vance will be central.
“I think J.D. Vance is a great politician and an effective communicator,” one voter at the rally told FOX News Digital, adding that the Ohio senator's Ohio roots “come from the Midwest. He added that it is helping to expand support in the state.
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) speaks at a campaign rally in Newtown, Pennsylvania, Saturday, September 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Lawrence Kesterson) (AP Photo/Lawrence Kesterson)
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“He kind of understands the concerns of the people. He's smart as a whip. He's tech-savvy,” said the voter.
Asked if Vance's roots would help in Michigan, another voter said, “Of course it does, even though there's a rivalry between Ohio and Michigan.” “We know that the rusty industrial states of the Midwest have very strong feelings about Vance and, of course, Trump.”
“J.D. Vance is a gentleman. He is energetic. He is certainly a patriot. He served in the Marine Corps for four years…he has proven himself to be a true American,” the voter added.
“I don't know about these U of M fans. I don't know how deep their Buckeye tradition runs,” another voter joked, adding that, after all, people at Ohio State and Michigan are similar, and they added that he believes they are similar. “We'll be together.”
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) speaks at a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 20, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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Other Detroit voters praised Vance's demeanor, arguing that he contrasted with the brasher vice presidential candidate.
“He's very well-rounded, he's young, he has a different background than Trump,” Voter told Fox News Digital. “He's fascinating…he's got great points.”
Another voter said, “J.D. Vance brings us a lot of great common sense thinking. He can formulate answers much better than I can.” “He's able to bring facts to this case so we can bring more people to the trial table.”
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital's Election Hub.
