Prominent Michigan Democrats, including Rep. Elissa Slotkin, have been navigating the complexities of the upcoming Senate race amidst concerns about Joe Biden’s performance in the presidential race. Slotkin, the party’s top candidate, chose to abstain from attending a recent rally with Biden, citing a scheduling conflict and allowing Biden to make his own decisions. While down-ballot Democrats typically benefit from the success of their party’s presidential nominee, there is a fear that Biden’s numbers may drag them down in this election cycle.
Recent polls have shown Democratic Senate candidates leading their GOP rivals, while Biden is either neck and neck or trailing behind Trump in key states including Michigan. Slotkin is walking a fine line between maintaining distance from Biden and not alienating his passionate supporters who remain loyal to him. While some voters at the Detroit rally supported Slotkin’s decision, others expressed anger at Democrats calling for Biden to withdraw from the race.
The potential scenarios leading up to the election include double haters returning to Biden, Biden dragging down-ballot Democrats, or the possibility of widespread ticket-splitting in 2024. The nonpartisan forecaster Cook Political Report has adjusted the rating of the Michigan Senate race to “toss-up” due to Biden’s slipping support, indicating the potential impact of his numbers on down-ballot candidates. As Democrats continue to navigate the political landscape, the outcome of the election remains uncertain.
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