Detroit. The beating heart of Michigan’s Black community. It’s a city that doesn’t just lean Democratic; it’s a city that has carried Democratic victories in the past. And, in a razor-thin state like Michigan, Detroit turnout isn’t just important—it’s essential. Kamala Harris knows this, and so do her campaign strategists. The question isn’t whether Detroit will vote blue; it’s whether enough Detroiters will come out to vote at all.
Let’s be clear: when Detroit turnout has exceeded 50%, Democrats have secured Michigan. Four years ago, Joe Biden won here because just under 51% of Detroiters showed up at the polls, giving him the edge he needed. But look back to 2016, when turnout barely reached 48%. That election was decided by a painful margin of just 11,000 votes. Low turnout cost Hillary Clinton Michigan and, ultimately, the White House.
Now, here’s where the Democrats face a steep challenge. The Harris campaign, which is dispatching big-name surrogates like Magic Johnson and Tish James to Detroit, is hearing from local leaders that many Black men, in particular, feel their needs have been overlooked. They’re concerned that party officials too often approach them with a condescending attitude, assuming their votes are a given. This is a mistake that Democrats can’t afford to make. Detroiters want to see policies that address their lives, their jobs, and their communities—not just more campaign rallies.
Harris and her team are ramping up their efforts with traditional methods—door knocking, community meetings—and creative approaches, including local house parties and appearances on popular podcasts. But it’s not enough to send in national figures and assume the turnout will follow. The Democratic Party needs to build trust, and that means addressing the issues that resonate in Detroit. Black men are worried about economic opportunities, manufacturing job losses, and the future of their families. They’re asking, “What’s in this for us?”
The answer must be crystal clear. This is why the Harris campaign has spotlighted economic empowerment, including a $50,000 credit for entrepreneurs—a policy born out of her conversations with Black business owners. It’s also why Democrats are focusing on health care access and housing affordability, critical issues for a community that has been systematically underserved for generations. These aren’t just talking points; they’re policy commitments that must be broadcast loud and clear to Detroit’s voters.
But make no mistake: the Republicans are knocking on Detroit’s door too, with Trump and his surrogates fanning out across Michigan, delivering populist messages that seek to exploit fears about immigration and job security. He’s making promises to the same Detroiters that Harris is courting, and while his track record shows a failure to deliver, the Democrats cannot allow his empty promises to fill a void created by their own inaction.
To the Harris campaign: your path to the White House demands that Detroit turns out in force. You can’t afford a repeat of 2016. Detroit’s voters deserve to know that they are seen, heard, and valued—not just during election season, but every day. It’s time to show them why their vote matters, why their voices matter, and why Detroit matters. Turnout isn’t a luxury; it’s the Democrats’ lifeline.