Kamala Harris Rallies Support in Flint, Michigan, Focusing on Labor and Housing Issues
Flint, MI – Vice President Kamala Harris electrified a crowd of over 6,000 supporters at the Dort Financial Center on Friday afternoon, marking her third visit to Michigan since announcing her candidacy for president. The rally, which highlighted her commitment to labor unions, manufacturing, and the auto industry, featured prominent speakers including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, NBA legend Magic Johnson, and labor leaders from the United Auto Workers (UAW).
Harris’s visit comes as part of her campaign’s strategy to engage voters in key battleground states, particularly those in the Midwest. The rally was a vibrant display of Democratic unity, with local leaders and union representatives rallying behind Harris’s vision for a stronger economy and better job opportunities.
In her opening remarks, Harris addressed the pressing issue of the nation’s housing shortage, proposing a plan to partner with the private sector to build three million new homes and provide first-time homebuyers with $25,000 in down payment assistance. “We need to build more housing in America,” she stated, emphasizing that the current shortage is driving up costs for families across the country.
Harris also focused on lowering costs for everyday Americans, particularly in healthcare and groceries, drawing on her experience as California’s attorney general. “There needs to be accountability for those who exploit vulnerable populations,” she said, highlighting her commitment to combating corporate price gouging.
The rally’s location in Flint was particularly poignant, given the city’s ongoing struggles with environmental issues stemming from the infamous water crisis that began in 2014. Attendees expressed concerns about the lingering effects of lead contamination and the need for continued support from federal leaders. Flint resident Simmone Price voiced her hope that Harris would address these issues directly, saying, “I know she is well aware of that, so if she can address that, that would be helpful.”
Governor Whitmer took the stage to underscore the importance of protecting Michigan’s auto industry and the workers who depend on it. She criticized former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, for their lack of commitment to the state’s labor force. “It was the Biden-Harris administration that took action to save union jobs,” Whitmer declared, rallying the crowd with her passionate defense of workers’ rights.
Magic Johnson, who is co-chairing the “Athletes for Harris” campaign, spoke about the importance of voter engagement, particularly among Black men. “Kamala’s opponent promised a lot of things last time to the Black community that he did not deliver on,” Johnson said, urging attendees to make their voices heard in the upcoming election.
The rally also touched on reproductive rights, a key issue for many attendees, especially young women. University of Michigan-Flint junior Marin Hetler expressed her support for Harris’s stance on abortion rights, stating, “As a young female college student, that is something that is super important to me.”
As the campaign heats up, recent polling indicates that Harris is leading Trump in Michigan, with a narrow margin of 49% to 47%. The enthusiasm at the rally suggests that Harris’s message is resonating with voters eager for change and progress.
With her focus on labor, housing, and social justice, Harris’s rally in Flint served as a powerful reminder of the stakes in the upcoming election and the importance of grassroots support in shaping the future of the Democratic Party. As the campaign continues, Harris and her team are poised to build on this momentum, reaching out to voters across the Midwest and beyond.
