Trump returns to Michigan Saturday to support Dixon, other GOP candidates
- This is former President Donald Trump’s second visit to Michigan in 2022, this time to Warren
- GOP candidates for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and congress will give remarks
- The event center can seat more than 4,000 people
Oct. 6: Big money donors shunning Tudor Dixon, Michigan Republican ticket
Oct. 1: Donald Trump touts ‘fantastic’ Michigan Republicans, returns again to 2020
Former President Donald Trump returns to Michigan on Saturday to rally support for the state's top Republican candidates, who are currently trailing their Democratic opponents in fundraising and the polls.
Trump is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. at the Macomb County Community College Sports and Events Center in Warren. Speakers include Trump-backed state candidates Tudor Dixon for governor, Matthew DePerno for attorney general, Kirstina Karamo for secretary of state, and John James for the 10th Congressional District.
The visit comes weeks before the Nov. 8 general election that will determine which party holds the top offices in the state.
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DePerno has one-tenth of Democratic incumbent Attorney General Dana Nessel's $2.4 million fundraising balance. Karamo had under $185,000 on hand on Sept. 16 compared to Democratic incumbent Jocelyn Benson's $3.3 million fundraising balance; Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer holds a 28-1 cash advantage against Dixon in the gubernatorial race.
The GOP’s state candidates have also trailed in recent polls. As of Sept. 22, Whitmer’s lead over Dixon was 16 points in a poll commissioned by the Detroit Free Press. That same poll found Benson leading Karamo by 51-37 margin and Nessel leading DePerno 48-39.
Registration and parking for the event begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, but doors will not open until 2 p.m. The Republican state candidates will deliver remarks beginning at 4 p.m., followed by Trump's speech at 7 p.m.
Macomb County is the state’s third-most populous county, with just under 1 million residents. The county has become more Republican in recent elections. Trump carried the county in 2016, and he got 40,000 more votes in 2020 than he did then.
Michigan is a swing state, and a visit from Trump could spur voters ahead of the polls. Tomorrow's visit will be the second time Trump has come to Michigan, trying to ignite support for the state's Republican candidates.
In April, Trump visited Washington Township in west Macomb County to support DePerno and Karamo. At the time, township officials were concerned about capacity limits for the rally.
It is uncertain how many people will attend the rally on Saturday. Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer and a Macomb County Community College Sports and Events Center representative did not return Bridge Michigan's requests for comment.
According to the event center’s website, the space has a seating capacity of more than 4,000.
Dixon won Trump's endorsement just days before the August primary. On Sept. 23, Donald Trump Jr. joined Dixon at the Muskegon GOP office as part of the gubernatorial candidate's campaign tour.
Republicans hope to turn Muskegon County red, where 50 percent of voters supported Whitmer in 2018.
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