The 2024 Michigan Democratic presidential primary was held on February 27, 2024, as part of the Democratic Party primaries for the 2024 presidential election. 140 delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be allocated to presidential candidates.[1] The contest took place concurrently with its Republican counterpart.
 | |||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
140 delegates (117 pledged and 23 unpledged) to the Democratic National Convention | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||
  Biden
70–80%
80–90% | |||||||||||||||||||
Despite Biden winning in a landslide, he faced a challenge from “uncommitted” in an otherwise generally uncontested primary season.[2] It was the first entity to win delegates outside of Biden that primary season, and won over 100,000 votes.[3] The campaign's performance was attributed to Arab, Muslim, young and progressive voters protesting Biden over his handling of the Israel–Hamas war.[4] The uncommitted vote in Michigan inspired similar protest votes in other states, eventually becoming a national movement.[5]
Candidates
editThe Michigan Secretary of State identified the following candidates (listed alphabetically) as Democratic Party presidential candidates in 2024:[6]
Williamson suspended her campaign on February 8, following the Nevada primary.[7] However, she was still listed on the ballot, and after finishing ahead of Phillips, she re-entered the race.[8]
Campaign for "uncommitted"
editIn addition, an 'uncommitted' option appeared on the ballot. Any "uncommitted" delegate awarded to the Democratic National Convention would essentially be an "unpledged" superdelegate and free to support any candidate they chose.[9] Numerous activists and elected officials, including Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and House Representative Rashida Tlaib, campaigned for voters to select the uncommitted option in protest of Biden's handling of the Israel–Hamas war.[10][11] Some Armenian Americans also suggested voting uncommitted over Biden's actions involving the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.[12]
In response, the advocacy group Democratic Majority for Israel ran ads arguing that voting "uncommitted" would weaken Biden and support Donald Trump.[13] Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer stated that although she acknowledges the "pain" people feel about the war, she still encouraged people to vote for Biden because "any vote that's not cast for Joe Biden supports a second Trump term".[14]
Endorsements
editCabinet-level officials
- Pete Buttigieg, 19th U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present), 32nd Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020), candidate for president in 2020[15]
U.S. Senator
- Gary Peters, U.S. Senator from Michigan (2015–present), U.S. Representative for MI-14 (2013–15) and MI-09 (2009–13)[16]
U.S. Representatives
- Dan Kildee, U.S. Representative from MI-08 (2013–present)[17]
Statewide officials
- Gretchen Whitmer, 49th Governor of Michigan (2019–present), Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (2021–present)[18]
- Garlin Gilchrist, 64th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)[19]
Mayors
- Mike Duggan, 75th Mayor of Detroit (2014–present)[20]
Newspapers
- The Detroit News (co-endorsement with Nikki Haley)[21]
U.S. Representatives
- Andy Levin, former U.S. Representative from MI-09 (2019–2023)[22]
- Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Representative from MI-12 (2023−present), MI-13 (2019–2023)[23]
- Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative from TX-16 (2013–2019), candidate for president in 2020[24]
State legislators
- Abraham Aiyash, State Representative from HD-04 (2020–present) and Majority Floor Leader (2023–present)[25]
- Erin Byrnes, State Representative from HD-15 (2023–present)[25]
- Jaime Churches, State Representative from HD-27 (2023–present)[26]
- Emily Dievendorf, State Representative from HD-77 (2023–present)[26]
- Alabas Farhat, State Representative from HD-03 (2023–present)[25]
- Gabriela Santiago-Romero, Detroit City councilmember from District 6 (2022–present)[27]
- Karen Whitsett, State Representative from HD-04 (2018–present)[28]
- Dylan Wegela, State Representative from HD-26 (2023–present)[28]
- Mary D. Waters, at-large Detroit City councilmember (2022–present), and former State Representative from HD-04 (2001–2006)[29]
Mayors
- Abdullah Hammoud, Mayor of Dearborn (2022–present) and former State Representative from HD-15 (2017–2021)[25]
Notable individuals
- Nasser Beydoun, former executive director of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024.[30]
- Michael Moore, left-wing activist and film producer[31]
- Linda Sarsour, political activist and co-chair of the 2017 Women's March[32]
Newspapers
Organizations
State legislators
- Darrin Camilleri, State Senator from SD-04 (2023–present) and former State Representative from HD-23 (2017–2023)[38]
Polling
edit| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Joe Biden |
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. |
Dean Phillips |
Marianne Williamson |
Uncommitted | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College/The Hill[39] | February 20–24, 2024 | 406 (LV) | – | 74.5% | – | 4.8% | – | 8.8% | 11.9% |
| Williamson suspends her candidacy | |||||||||
| Monmouth University/The Washington Post[40] | December 7–11, 2023 | 460 (LV) | – | 79% | – | 5% | 9% | – | 6% |
| Phillips declares his candidacy | |||||||||
| Kennedy withdraws from the primaries | |||||||||
| Emerson College[41] | August 1–2, 2023 | 1,121 (RV) | ± 2.9% | 65% | 11% | – | 5% | – | 17% |
| Mitchell Research[42][A] | July 11–13, 2023 | 639 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 75% | 3% | – | 4% | – | 19% |
Results
edit| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Actual delegate count | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pledged | Unpledged | Total | |||
| Joe Biden (incumbent) | 625,221 | 81.1% | 115 | 115 | |
| Uncommitted | 101,623 | 13.2% | 2 | 2 | |
| Marianne Williamson (withdrawn) | 22,865 | 3.0% | |||
| Dean Phillips | 20,684 | 2.7% | |||
| Write-in votes | 178 | <0.1% | |||
| Total: | 770,571 | 100% | 117 | 23 | 140 |
To win delegates, a candidate must receive over 15% of votes statewide or in any congressional district. "Uncommitted" votes accounted for 17.1% of the votes in the 6th district and 17.3% in the 12th district, winning a delegate each from both districts.
- 90–100%
- 70–80%
- 60–70%
- 50–60%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90–100%
"Uncommitted" won a majority in Dearborn, as well as in the cities of Hamtramck and Dearborn Heights. All three cities have a significant Arab American and Muslim population, which has been seen as a cause of Biden's defeat.[44][45] Biden performed well in the western part of the city, but suffered a defeat in more heavily Muslim East Dearborn.[46][failed verification] However, he recorded his strongest result in the 13th precinct in the eastern part of the city, where a retirement community is located.[47]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Key:
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
Partisan clients
- ^ Poll commissioned by MIRS
References
edit- ^ "Michigan Democratic Delegation 2024". The Green Papers. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "Michigan primary leaves Dems begging Biden to set foot in the swing state". politico.com. Politico. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "'Uncommitted' wins 2 Democratic delegates in Michigan, a victory for Biden's anti-war opponents". Associated Press. February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ Laughland, Oliver (February 28, 2024). "'Uncommitted' vote in Michigan a warning shot over Biden's support of Israel". The Guardian. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Biden critics look to replicate Michigan's 'uncommitted' vote in other states". The Hill. February 29, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "Secretary Benson releases 2024 presidential primary candidate list". Michigan Secretary of State. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ Gibson, Brittany (February 7, 2024). "Marianne Williamson ends her 2024 presidential run". Politico. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Marianne Williamson says she is 'unsuspending' her longshot presidential campaign". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ "'Uncommitted' wins 2 Democratic delegates in Michigan, a victory for Biden's anti-war opponents". PBS. Associated Press. February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Shalal, Andrea (February 6, 2024). "Michigan Democrats, organizers urge 'uncommitted' vote in Feb. 27 primary". Reuters. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ Epstein, Reid (February 6, 2024). "Group in Michigan Urges Protest Vote Against Biden Over Israel-Gaza War". New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ Hatsakordzian, Dzovinar (February 20, 2024). "Why I'm Voting "Uncommitted" in Michigan's Democratic Primary". Armenian Weekly. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Lacy, Akela; Thakker, Prem (February 23, 2024). "AIPAC Ally Slams "Uncommitted" Voters Warning Biden to Change Course on Gaza". The Intercept. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ Concepcion, Summer (February 26, 2024). "Michigan Democrats express skepticism about how their primary will play out amid anti-Biden push over Israel-Hamas war". NBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ Morris, Kyle (January 22, 2023). "10 Democrats who have vowed support for Biden in 2024 as voters await his official re-election decision". Fox News. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ "Dems dodge on Biden '24". Axios. March 28, 2023.
- ^ McCammond, Alexi; Treene, Alayna; Solender, Andrew (August 5, 2022). "Dems dodge on Biden '24". Axios. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023.
- ^ Gangitano, Alex (April 25, 2023). "Biden names campaign managers, national co-chairs for 2024". The Hill.
- ^ Murray, Isabella (April 24, 2023). "Democratic lieutenant governors mobilize cash as early backers of Biden-Harris ticket". ABC News.
- ^ Stockburger, George (May 10, 2023). "Josh Shapiro, Malcolm Kenyatta named to Biden-Harris Campaign National Advisory Board". ABC27/WHTM.
- ^ "Editorial: Our endorsement for the Michigan Democratic primary". The Detroit News. February 8, 2024. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Epstein, Reid J.; Green, Erica L. (February 9, 2024). "In Private Remarks to Arab Americans, Biden Aide Expresses Regrets on Gaza". New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ Yang, Maya (February 18, 2024). "Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib tells fellow Democrats: reject Biden in primary". The Guardian. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Irwin, Lauren; Green (February 24, 2024). "O'Rourke supports campaign to vote 'uncommitted' in Michigan Democratic primary". The Hill. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Conley, Julia (February 7, 2024). "Dearborn Mayor Among Wave of Michigan Officials to Join 'Uncommitted' Campaign". Common Dreams. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ a b "Michigan leaders pledged to vote "Uncommitted" in the February 27 Democratic primary". Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Marans, Daniel (March 4, 2024). "The Gaza Cease-Fire Movement Faces A Big Test In Michigan". HuffPost. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Hendrickson, Clara (February 8, 2024). "Whitmer to Democrats ditching Biden in primary: 'There's a lot at stake". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ LeBlanc, Beth (February 19, 2024). "Biden campaign official in Michigan: Israel-Hamas war not likely to end 'anytime soon'". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Roth, Andrew (February 16, 2024). "Biden faces challenge in Michigan primary: Uncommitted". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ Melber, Ari (February 22, 2024). "MAGA all in on Trump at CPAC: Michael Moore x Melber". MSNBC. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Laughland, Oliver (March 6, 2024). "'Uncommitted' vote in Michigan a warning shot over Biden's support of Israel". The Guardian. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Metro Times endorses 'uncommitted' in 2024 presidential primary". Detroit Metro Times. February 15, 2024.
- ^ ANCA [@ANCA_DC] (February 6, 2024). "The Armenian National Committee of Michigan - @ANCofMI - calling on Armenian and allied voters to vote uncommitted on the 2/27 Michigan Democratic primary ballot - in a protest against @JoeBiden's complicity in Azerbaijan's genocide of Armenians" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Burke, Melissa Nann (February 17, 2024). "Tlaib endorses protest vote against Biden in Michigan". The Detroit News. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ Epstein, Reid J. (February 14, 2024). "Liberal Group Joins Efforts Calling for Protest Vote Against Biden in Michigan". The New York Times. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ Ede, Donny (February 24, 2024). "Listen to Michigan rallies for uncommitted votes in protest of Biden's Gaza stance". WWMT. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
- ^ Schneider, Elena (February 22, 2024). "Biden's 'uncommitted' problem in Michigan worries Democrats looking to November". Politico. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ Emerson College/The Hill
- ^ Monmouth University Polling/The Washington Post
- ^ Emerson College
- ^ Mitchell Research
- ^ "2024 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Secretary of State. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ Cappelletti, Joey; Householder, Mike (February 28, 2024). "Michigan's largest Arab American cities reject Biden over his handling of Israel-Hamas war". AP News. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Hendrickson, Clara; Warikoo, Niraj (February 28, 2024). "'Uncommitted' trounces Biden in Dearborn presidential primary". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Neavling, Steve (October 5, 2023). "How some Michigan Muslims united with extremist Republicans against LGBTQ+ rights". Michigan Advance. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ "Precinct Map".