President Joe Biden secured a resounding victory in Michigan’s Democratic presidential primary, capturing 81.1% of the vote tally. Despite his win, the primary was notable for the over 100,000 “uncommitted” protest votes, accounting for 13.3% of the total. Minnesota U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips and self-help guru Marianne Williamson trailed with 2.7% and 3% of the votes, respectively, with 98% of precincts reporting.
Concerns about a progressive backlash against Biden’s support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his approach to Palestinian issues in Gaza loomed over the Democratic primary results. “Tens of thousands of Michigan Democrats, many of whom who voted for Biden in 2020, are uncommitted to his re-election due to the war in Gaza,” shared Listen to Michigan Campaign Manager Layla Elabed. “President Biden has funded the bombs falling on the family members of people who live right here in Michigan. People who voted for him, who now feel completely betrayed. President Biden, listen to Michigan. Count us out, Joe. Count Michigan uncommitted for funding of war and genocide in Gaza. While we’ve noticed a small shift in language from Biden as a direct result of this campaign’s pressure, we know that his words are not enough. This isn’t a messaging problem, this is a funding bombs problem.”
Dearborn, home to a large Arab American community that makes up nearly half its population of roughly 107,000, saw a significant swing towards “uncommitted” votes, surpassing Biden’s share by 56% to 40%, with nearly all precincts counted and a total vote close to 11,200. “I want to thank every Michigander who made their voice heard today,” expressed Biden, highlighting the value of voting and democratic participation. Leading up to the primary, activists, particularly from the Arab American and Muslim communities, spearheaded a three-week campaign urging Democrats to mark “uncommitted” on their ballots. This move was aimed at voicing dissatisfaction with President Biden’s perceived neglect of intra-party calls for a ceasefire and limitations on military aid to Israel. The strategy of voting “uncommitted” has historical precedence within the Democratic Party, notably in 2008 when approximately 40% of voters chose this option after Barack Obama and other candidates withdrew their names from the ballot. Similarly, in 2012, over 10% of voters opted for “uncommitted” in lieu of supporting the incumbent Obama.
Former President Donald Trump outperformed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in Michigan’s Republican primary. According to unofficial results from The Associated Press, with 98% of precincts reporting, Trump received 68.2% of the votes in the Republican primary, while Haley garnered 26.5%. “We don’t want a Trump presidency, but Biden has put Netanyahu ahead of American democracy,” said Elabed. “We cannot afford to pay the bill for disregarding Palestinian lives should it come due in November.”
The campaign to bolster the “uncommitted” vote was extensive, involving more than 500,000 phone calls and 650,000 text messages, including a staggering 62,000 calls on the day of the primary. Efforts also included a targeted YouTube advertisement, mailers distributed throughout Metro Detroit, and an aggressive social media campaign to spread the message. High-profile Democrats such as U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib of Detroit, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hamoud, and former U.S. Representative Andy Levin of Bloomfield Township threw their support behind this movement, highlighting a significant grassroots effort within the state to make a statement through the ballot.
The reelection team for the president has countered the Listen to Michigan initiative by highlighting Biden’s achievements on the home front, presenting the upcoming general election as a direct choice between Biden and ex-President Donald Trump, and underlining their receptiveness to public feedback and willingness to engage in further dialogue. “The only way to achieve freedom and justice for Palestinians surviving a genocide is through an immediate and permanent cease-fire,” Elabed said. “The only way to ensure that unrestricted humanitarian aid enters Gaza is through an immediate and permanent cease-fire. The only way to ensure the safe return of all hostages and prisoners is through an immediate and permanent cease-fire. The only way for peace is for Biden to stop funding the bombs.”
The significance of this lies in the potential implications for the November elections: a significant number of Michigan Democrats casting “uncommitted” votes on Tuesday would signal growing discontent with Biden’s approach to the Gaza situation, potentially affecting his support in a crucial state. In Michigan, a pivotal swing state, Arab and Muslim Americans form a significant portion of the electorate.
“Our delegation plans to hold the Democratic nominee accountable to our community’s anti-war agenda at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago,” Elabed shared. “See you there.”
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