Biden Wins Michigan Primary, Protest Votes Surge

President Joe Biden secured a decisive victory in Michigan’s Democratic primary, capturing a commanding 79% of the vote. However, the primary was not without its intrigue, as over 20,000 voters opted to cast their ballots as ‘uncommitted’ in a protest organized by activists calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. This protest vote, totaling 15.6% of the vote share, emerged as a significant statement in a state that is expected to be pivotal in the general election.

The ‘uncommitted’ votes, which came in at around 20,600, surpassed the initial goal of 10,000 set by the Listen to Michigan movement. This number is anticipated to rise as more votes are tallied, particularly in densely populated Wayne County.

A coalition of progressive activists, campus protesters, and Arab American community leaders spearheaded the call for ‘uncommitted’ votes to protest Biden’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. They argued that these votes could potentially sway the outcome of the November election, underscoring Michigan’s role as a crucial swing state where recent polls have shown a tight race between Biden and Trump.

Michigan boasts a significant Arab American population, including the largest Arab American community in the U.S. located in Dearborn. Biden, while increasingly vocal in urging Israel to exercise restraint in Gaza, has maintained his support for military aid to Israel and has refrained from calling for an immediate cease-fire. He expressed optimism for a cease-fire by the following Monday, following weeks of negotiation efforts.

In addition to Biden, longshot candidates Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) garnered roughly 2.7% of the vote each, trailing behind the former Vice President.

Interestingly, nearly 20,000 Democratic voters in Michigan chose ‘uncommitted’ in both the 2016 and 2020 primaries, a fact that underscores the state’s penchant for political activism and independent thinking.

Looking ahead, the next Democratic primary contests are slated for Super Tuesday on March 5, involving 15 states and one territory. Biden has indicated that negotiators are working toward securing a cease-fire agreement for the holy month of Ramadan, beginning March 10. This agreement would include the release of about 40 hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, as well as increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Despite Biden being the presumptive nominee, he faces challenges related to concerns about his age, the economy, and his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. A December New York Times/Siena poll revealed that 57% of voters disapprove of his approach to the conflict, with more people trusting Trump (46%) over Biden (38%) to manage the situation. A January Associated Press poll showed that about half of U.S. adults, including a majority of Democrats, believe Israel’s response to Hamas has been too aggressive.

Michigan is the fourth state to hold its Democratic primary, following New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. In the GOP Michigan primary, Trump is expected to defeat former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, positioning him to secure enough delegates to clinch the GOP nomination, potentially setting the stage for a rematch with Biden.