Donald Trump is set to visit Michigan and Wisconsin on Thursday as part of his growing campaign efforts in key battleground states, signaling a significant push toward the upcoming fall election.
Trump's campaign strategy is focused on reclaiming the states he won in 2016 but narrowly lost in 2020. His visit includes stops in central Michigan and western Wisconsin, two crucial regions that could play a decisive role in the election.
The day begins with a rally in Potterville, Michigan, near Lansing, the state's capital. Trump previously won Eaton County, which includes part of Lansing, in both 2016 and 2020, although by a slimmer margin the second time around. This marks Trump's third visit to Michigan in just nine days, following a recent speech to the National Guard Association in Detroit earlier this week.
Later in the day, Trump will head to La Crosse, Wisconsin, for a town hall event, which will be moderated by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who endorsed him during his Detroit visit. This will be Trump's first trip to Wisconsin since the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which took place shortly before President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, clearing the path for Vice President Kamala Harris.
In addition to Michigan and Wisconsin, Trump is also set to campaign in Pennsylvania on Friday. These three Midwestern states form a key industrial bloc that Democrats dominated for two decades before Trump’s 2016 victory. However, Biden reclaimed them in the 2020 election, leading to his victory.
Trump and his vice-presidential running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have been actively campaigning in these critical battleground states. Vance has also made appearances in both Michigan and Wisconsin this week.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is rallying behind Harris and her newly announced running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. They are working to harness the growing enthusiasm within the party since Harris's campaign launch, hoping to extend this momentum to more moderate regions. Harris and Walz are currently on a two-day bus tour across Georgia, including stops in the state's rural southern areas.
Trump's events in Michigan and Wisconsin are strategically planned in swing congressional districts. Potterville is located in Michigan's 7th District, which includes a mix of Republican and Democratic areas, making it one of the most competitive districts in the country this fall. La Crosse, Wisconsin, lies within the state's 3rd Congressional District, where the Republican incumbent narrowly won in 2022.
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