Democrats Hope to Flip This County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Where Issues and Opinions on Presidential Candidates Vary

HOUGHTON, Mich. (WENY News) -- In the western part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, sits Houghton County. With a population of just over 37,000, it’s a county that former President Donald Trump carried by just under 3,000 votes in 2020.

“When it's a swing state, every vote counts. And so that's absolutely something that we're telling voters as we get out there,” said Houghton County Democratic Party Chair William J. Keith. 

With less than two weeks until the election, Keith says Democrats are ready to flip the county blue. 

"It's like tinted pink or tinted blue, depending on the year. We'll do our best to get it tinted blue this year,” said Keith, adding that energy is high among local Democrats. Protecting democracy, he says, is paramount for Democratic voters this year. 

“I think a lot of it is definitely that we need to make sure that we're protecting American democracy,” said Keith. 

In the city of Houghton, Democratic voters say reproductive rights, gun control and climate change are top of mind. 

Lucy Gibbs doesn’t fully align with Harris but plans to vote for her anyways. 

“There's definitely some things that I wish she aligned with me more on, especially with the Israel situation, Palestine situation in Gaza. Really not happy with that,” said Gibbs. 

Supporters of former President Donald Trump who we spoke with today were not shy in sharing their enthusiasm. 

“I love Trump, I don't know where to begin. I have seven Trump signs up that I keep posted,” said Pat Wiitala. “They slowly get ripped off and I just replace them.” 

Pat Wiitala says immigration and the economy should be top of mind for all voters. 

“Border comes to mind. Inflation comes to mind. Those are top, top of the list,” said Wiitala. 

According to a new Quinnipiac University swing state poll in Michigan, 49 percent of likely voters support Harris and 46 percent support Trump. The same poll from Oct. 9 showed Trump with 50 percent support and Harris with 47 percent.