Michigan governor expecting ‘sizable’ number of uncommitted votes in primary: ‘A lot of people … are hurting’

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) said she expects a “sizable” number of Michigan Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the state’s primary on Tuesday out of protest against President Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas war. 

Progressives have led a protest effort against Biden that has gained steam in the state, with notable supporters including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), to encourage Biden to back a full cease-fire in the conflict.

“As we know, our huge Arab, Palestinian and Muslim communities are going to voice some of their opinions with regard to how we’re handling what’s happening over in Gaza and Israel,” Whitmer said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Tuesday. 

“We also have a robust Jewish community here, and these are two very important communities that have lived in harmony in this state for decades,” she continued. “And there’s a lot of people who are hurting.”

Biden has refused calls to back a full cease-fire in the war, instead pushing for shorter pauses to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians and push Hamas to release hostages. The president said Monday that he hopes a six-week cease-fire that has been under negotiation for weeks can go into effect by the end of the week.

The governor, who has been floated as a future Democratic presidential candidate, called on President Biden to better engage with all communities impacted by the war ahead of November’s election.

“It’s going to be important that the administration continues to engage with leaders and individuals in the Palestinian community, the Muslim community, the Arab American community as well as the Jewish community,” Whitmer said.

Biden does not have any major challengers in the Democratic primary, but he can’t afford to lose key votes in the swing state of Michigan in the general election. He carried Michigan in 2020 with about 50.6 percent of the vote.

According to polling averages from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, former President Trump has a 3-point lead in a hypothetical match-up in Michigan.