Whitmer to Democrats ditching Biden in primary: 'There's a lot at stake'

In response to Democratic elected leaders who have pledged to vote "uncommitted" in the upcoming primary in Michigan instead of President Joe Biden, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged them to consider what a second term for former President Donald Trump would mean for the communities they represent.

The recently launched "Listen to Michigan" campaign wants to mobilize Democratic voters appalled by Biden's support for Israel amid its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza that has killed innocent civilians. The campaign calls on people to participate in the Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 27 but register a protest vote by filling in the "uncommitted" bubble.

"Uncommitted Michigan Democrats opposed to Biden's policy in Gaza can demonstrate that we hold his margin of victory for re-election," the campaign's website states.

Asked whether she thinks it's a mistake for Democratic elected leaders to support this effort, Whitmer said she wants to remind voters what's on the line in this year's presidential election.

"You know what, I am absolutely convinced that in this upcoming election we've got so many high-stakes issues. And I understand that people have very different views and they're entitled absolutely," she said.

"There's a lot at stake in this upcoming election and I would just encourage people not to lose sight of that, too. A potential second term for the former president would be very hard on all the communities that are still being impacted by what's happening overseas as well and that's something that shouldn't be lost on people's calculation, too."

Whitmer serves as a key Biden surrogate in Michigan, playing a role in his reelection bid as his campaign's co-chair. She also launched a political action committee — the Fight Like Hell PAC — to leverage her fundraising prowess to keep Biden in the White House.

Earlier this week, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud announced the Listen to Michigan campaign has the support of over 30 elected officials in southeast Michigan, home to large Arab American and Muslim communities who have expressed opposition to the Biden administration's support for Israel.

"Let us be clear: we unequivocally demand that the Biden Administration immediately call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza," reads a letter shared by Hammoud from the officials who vowed to vote "uncommitted" in the primary. Hammoud and other Arab American leaders recently declined a meeting with Biden's campaign.

The "Listen to Michigan" campaign has the support of at least five Democratic state representatives: state Reps. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck; Erin Byrnes, D-Dearborn; Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn; Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit and Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City.

Biden beat Trump in Michigan by more than 154,000 votes in 2020. But Trump won Michigan in 2016 to become the first Republican presidential candidate to win the state since 1988. Trump beat Hillary Clinton in 2016 by nearly 11,000 votes. The Listen to Michigan campaign wants to show that uncommitted Michigan Democrats could decide whether or not Biden will serve a second term.

Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer concerned about Democrats ditching Biden, voting uncommitted