Pat Parker has been an unwavering advocate for Democratic presidential candidates in Michigan, a crucial swing state, through five grueling election cycles, and her experiences haven’t always been filled with optimism.
The exuberance she felt while canvassing for Barack Obama, marked by vibrant interactions with voters, was starkly contrasted by her time in a Hillary Clinton campaign office during the 2016 election in Saginaw County, an area deemed critical for Democrats, which felt eerily quiet and lifeless despite the widespread belief that Clinton would emerge victorious. The challenges faced while campaigning for Joe Biden were further compounded by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, casting a shadow over the mobilization efforts.
However, the upcoming election brings a different emotional landscape. For the first time in her extensive campaigning career, Parker is witnessing palpable fear among voters.
Although the clinical social worker is filled with enthusiasm for Kamala Harris, she acknowledges that a significant portion of potential voters supporting Harris are being driven to the polls by fear of her opponent, Donald Trump. “It’s about him. There’s a huge component of, ‘We can’t have him back, we’ve got to stop him.’ Some conversations are really difficult. People get completely freaked out and upset, and it doesn’t leave a lot of room for, ‘What do you think of Harris?’,” Parker explains.
After Trump’s 2020 defeat, many Americans held onto hopes that he would retreat from the political spotlight. However, the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, his ongoing attempts to undermine trust in the electoral system, and the enduring ramifications of his presidency—including the erosion of abortion rights—have ensured that Trump remains an influential figure in American politics.
In this election cycle, Parker observes that the intensity of fear has only escalated. Trump has issued menacing proclamations about dismantling democracy, mobilizing the military against the so-called “enemy within,” and weaponizing the justice system to enact revenge on those he perceives to have wronged him. His campaign rallies, often charged with vitriol against immigrants—many of whom reside in the US legally—and ominous threats to deport millions, have only heightened this climate of fear.
“We watch him. It’s like you can’t keep your eyes off a fire,” Parker reflects.
In Michigan, residents are bombarded with a barrage of campaign advertisements and high-energy rallies as Harris and Trump engage in a fierce battle for every vote in a state where polls indicate they are closely matched.
The Harris campaign views Michigan, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, as essential to their chances of securing victory, emphasizing that turnout will be the critical factor in this fight.
Trump’s successful capture of these “blue wall” states in the 2016 election, winning Michigan by a razor-thin margin of just 10,704 votes, changed the electoral landscape significantly. In the succeeding 2020 election, Trump increased his support in these states, yet ultimately lost to Biden. This was largely due to a surge of Democratic voters who had previously abstained from voting, resulting in a historic turnout where 72% of registered voters cast ballots in Michigan—the highest proportion since JFK’s election 60 years prior.
Indicators point toward an even higher turnout this year, with Michigan county clerks noting a rise in voter registration and nearly 1 million postal ballots returned, predominantly from Democratic strongholds like Detroit.
However, the Harris campaign remains cautiously optimistic, fully aware of the lessons ingrained from the 2016 campaign debacle where Clinton failed to engage Michigan voters actively. Clinton’s team neglected to prioritize the state or connect with vital demographics, such as unionized workers and Black communities, traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party. Their misplaced confidence, based on polling data suggesting a comfortable lead, resulted in tragic oversights, leading to her defeat in Michigan and several other battlegrounds.
In stark contrast, Harris is dedicating significant time to campaigning in Michigan, second only to Pennsylvania. The vice president, alongside her running mate Tim Walz, is actively engaging various voter blocs, including factory workers, Black citizens, white suburban women, and college students, making an effort to connect with all corners of the electorate.
To bolster her campaign, Harris notably brought former President Barack Obama to a Detroit rally, where he engaged with mega-star Eminem, and enlisted Bernie Sanders to reassure student voters concerned about her alignment with corporate interests.
Harris’s efforts also extend to attracting anti-Trump Republicans, including backing from former Republican officials who are disenchanted with the former president’s behavior and policies. In a significant political maneuver, the vice president appeared alongside former congresswoman Liz Cheney to reinforce the message that voting for Harris is a safe choice for those opposed to Trump, particularly amid growing fears surrounding women’s rights and legal repercussions among the voter base.
Chris Wyant, a senior adviser for Harris’s campaign in Michigan, acknowledges the strategy is heavily influenced by the hard lessons of the past election cycles.
“I just don’t think there was the robust team and we didn’t get the time from the candidate that we do now,” Wyant articulated.
In direct opposition, Trump, along with his vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, has been actively promoting hard promises, even if many supporters harbor doubts about their feasibility. At a recent rally in Saginaw, Trump boldly proclaimed intentions to reclaim Michigan’s identity as the “car capital of the world” even as the automotive landscape continues to decline, with over a dozen local factories shuttered in recent years.
The former president has also tapped into regional tensions regarding electric vehicle policies during his rallies, knowing that a majority of voters in Michigan oppose government incentives for EVs, fearing potential job losses in traditional automotive manufacturing.
Nonetheless, Trump faltered during a rally in Detroit when he derided a city still grappling with the aftermath of factory closures and ongoing population decline, saying, “Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she’s your president.”
Despite this, Trump maintains a significant advantage over Harris in voter trust concerning key issues like inflation and immigration. While the Biden administration boasts of a recovering economy highlighted by record job growth, many citizens in Michigan continue to struggle with the repercussions of rising living costs.
At a soup kitchen in Saginaw, Darshell Roberson, a Black woman, expresses her concerns about economic stability over Trump’s past rhetoric. “I voted for Biden but I really feel like Biden has failed me. I trust Donald Trump,” she says, illustrating the complexities of voter sentiment.
Roberson’s shifting loyalties highlight the disenchantment prevalent among many Michiganders, particularly toward national Democrats perceived as overly aligned with corporate interests, turning away from the traditional values of supporting working individuals. Union leaders in Saginaw lament the rising trend of their membership supporting Trump, blaming it on the Democratic establishment’s estrangement from its roots.
Trump also attracts young white male voters in Michigan, including first-time voters who may influence his electoral prospects. Lewis Jensen, a young supporter, traveled to Saginaw for Trump’s rally, stating, “I’m voting for Trump. All my friends are voting for Trump. He may get a little crazy in some of the things he says but he’ll put Americans first.”
The fundamental challenge for Trump remains whether he can garner sufficient votes to secure victory should Democratic turnout for Harris mirror that of 2020.
In conversations with fellow voters, Parker senses a shared anxiety about the potential return of Trump to power, a sentiment she believes will motivate turnout. “He can do anything now if he gets re-elected. There’s a lot of him that’s just bluster and untruth, and he doesn’t have the energy to follow through on half of it,” she warns. “But he’s now putting people around him that do. It could completely transform this country.”
Parker further expresses a sense of foreboding regarding political freedoms, stating, “I don’t think we’ll have the ability to protest. I don’t think we’ll have the ability to be heard. I’m not even sure if there will be elections again.”
Parker, who was involved with the grassroots organization Voters Not Politicians, successfully campaigned for initiatives that ended gerrymandering and introduced early voting for the presidential election, empowering community efforts aimed at increasing turnout, particularly through initiatives like “souls to polls” driven by Black churches.
Students on campus are also mobilizing around issues like women’s rights and international conflicts, with many rallying against the Biden administration’s support for Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Keaton Henning, a student at Saginaw Valley State University supporting Harris, reflects, “I’ve been active since I heard what Donald Trump said about immigrants. But for a lot of students, it’s women’s rights. So restoring Roe v. Wade, that is a big thing that a lot of people on campus talk about.”
The tensions surrounding the war in Gaza complicate Harris’s campaign in Michigan, where numerous Arab American voters expressed their frustrations during the Democratic primaries, showing their reluctance to back candidates perceived to align with adverse policies toward their communities.
As the election date approaches, Parker reflects on the anxiety hanging over her community, noting that this sentiment is leading many to consider drastic actions, including leaving the country altogether. “One of my dearest friends is leaving the country on November 1. She’s going to Canada to get out of the country and not coming back until it’s all over,” Parker reveals, capturing the essence of the fear gripping the nation.
Interview with Pat Parker: A Voice from the Frontlines of Michigan Politics
Editor: Pat, you’ve been a dedicated advocate for Democratic candidates in Michigan through several election cycles. Reflecting on your experiences, how do you think this current election cycle differs from those past?
Pat Parker: This election feels markedly different. For the first time, I’m hearing a lot of fear among voters – a palpable anxiety about the possibility of Donald Trump returning to power. It’s not just about what Kamala Harris brings to the table; it’s more about the urgency to stop Trump. Conversations are heavy, and many individuals express feeling overwhelmed by the stakes involved.
Editor: You canvassed for Barack Obama during a time of excitement. How does that compare to your time in the 2016 Clinton campaign?
Pat Parker: The contrast is striking. While campaigning for Obama, there was an energy in the air, the joy in connecting with voters. But during the 2016 Clinton campaign, particularly in Saginaw County, it was almost eerie. There was this sense of quiet despite the importance of that election. It was like we were all holding our breath.
Editor: Many people thought after Trump’s defeat in 2020 he would step back from politics. Why do you think he remains such a powerful figure?
Pat Parker: Trump’s insurrection on January 6 and his relentless efforts to undermine trust in our electoral system have kept him in the spotlight. His rhetoric about dismantling democracy and mobilizing the military against perceived “enemies” has generated fear and urgency, which continues to resonate with his base and divides the electorate.
Editor: You’ve mentioned that the fear voters are feeling now is significant. Can you elaborate on that?
Pat Parker: Absolutely. It’s almost as if we’re watching a fire that we cannot look away from. Trump’s campaign rhetoric is intimidating, filled with vitriol, particularly against immigrants. People feel anxious about what his election could mean for civil rights, women’s rights, and, fundamentally, democratic institutions.
Editor: The Democratic campaign seems to be heavily focusing on overseeing voter turnout in Michigan. What lessons have been learned from previous elections?
Pat Parker: The key takeaway from the 2016 election is the importance of engaging with voters on the ground. Hillary’s campaign misjudged the necessity of connecting with vital demographics, like union workers and Black communities. The Harris campaign is actively working to change that by prioritizing interactions in Michigan. They realize that enthusiasm and trust cannot be taken for granted.
Editor: Turning to the voters themselves, what sentiment are you observing among them regarding Harris versus Trump?
Pat Parker: Voter sentiments are complex. While many support Harris, I hear a lot of apprehension about Biden’s administration. For instance, I met a woman who voted for Biden but now feels he has failed her economically. She expressed trust in Trump over Biden. This kind of uncertainty makes it crucial for the Harris campaign to not only motivate voters but to ensure they’re addressing economic concerns genuinely.
Editor: As someone who’s witnessed a lot in Michigan politics, what does fear for the future look like for you personally?
Pat Parker: It’s unsettling. I worry about our political freedoms; I fear for our ability to protest or be heard. There’s a real dread that we may not even have fair elections in the future. If we don’t actively mobilize and uplift every voice, we risk losing those rights altogether.
Editor: Thank you, Pat, for sharing your insights. Your experiences illustrate the complex dynamics at play as we approach this critical election cycle.
Pat Parker: Thank you for the platform. It’s vital we keep these conversations going and remind people of the power of their voices.
Ge that narrative by dedicating significant time and resources to connect with various voter blocs across Michigan.
Editor: You mentioned feeling a sense of urgency among voters regarding Kamala Harris. How do you see her candidacy being affected by the political climate?
Pat Parker: Kamala Harris represents a different vision for America, but for many voters, the motivation to support her stems from a fear of what Trump could bring back. It’s vital that her campaign not only highlights her qualifications but also addresses the deep concerns voters have about losing hard-won rights and freedoms.
Editor: With the rise in voter registration and potential turnout in Michigan, do you think this election could mark a historic moment?
Pat Parker: There’s a lot of potential for a historic turnout, especially among young people and those who previously felt disenfranchised. However, we can’t get complacent. Every vote counts, and the stakes feel higher than ever. The key will be positive engagement and ensuring voters feel their voices matter in this critical moment.
Editor: Your grassroots work with initiatives like “Souls to the Polls” highlights community involvement. How important is grassroots activism in this election?
Pat Parker: Extremely important. Grassroots activism empowers communities to not only vote but to be heard. It builds networks of support that can mobilize and educate voters about the issues that matter to them, and it can counteract the divisive narratives that often come from larger campaigns.
Editor: With the ongoing tensions surrounding issues like women’s rights and international conflicts, how do you see those affecting voter sentiment in Michigan?
Pat Parker: These issues are at the forefront of many voters’ minds. For younger voters in particular, women’s rights and social justice are awakening issues. The interconnectedness of these concerns means candidates must be adaptable and responsive to the fears and aspirations of the electorate. It’s a delicate balance, and how candidates maneuver through these complex topics could significantly impact turnout.
Editor: As a seasoned advocate, what is your personal hope for this upcoming election?
Pat Parker: My hope is that we can channel the fear and anxiety into action. I want to see a record turnout that reflects the voices and values of our communities. We have to ensure that we don’t just vote to stop something, but that we vote for a future we believe in. That’s how we can truly safeguard our democracy and rights.
Editor: Thank you, Pat, for sharing your insights and experiences. Your perspective is invaluable as we approach this critical election.
Pat Parker: Thank you for having me! It’s essential that we keep communicating and engaging with each other as we move closer to election day. Every conversation counts.
