Vance in Howell for Rogers as Sanders and RFK Jr. fan out across Michigan

Vice President JD Vance is expected in Howell on Tuesday to campaign alongside Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers, one week before Election Day on Nov. 3 ². The visit is the latest in a string of high-profile political trips to Michigan as the state's Senate and governor races close out ².

The week has been crowded. Sen. Bernie Sanders campaigned with Democrats in Ann Arbor on Monday, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rallied with Republicans in Grand Rapids ². Former President Barack Obama traveled to Detroit and President Donald Trump visited Port Huron over the weekend ².

On tapeWKOW 27 NEWS · Oct 27

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On the Democratic side, U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed held a town hall with Sanders. "I'm not here to even talk about me. This whole thing is about you," El-Sayed told supporters ². Rogers, campaigning with Kennedy, joked about the out-of-state help: "You know how much we wanna win this race. We brought a guy from Ohio up here" ².

In the governor's race, Republican nominee John James said his priority will remain Michigan residents. "I have conversations with the President. He knows where I stand. And I'll always prioritize the people of Michigan," James said ². Democratic nominee Jocelyn Benson has focused on the economy: "The fundamental focus of my race here for Governor is cost down, wages up," she said ².

From Channel GOPEl-Sayed lists Mike Rogers' corporate donorsAbdul El-Sayed · 141 plays · captioned, with the source named

Turnout, not persuasion

University of Michigan professor Josh Pasek said the outcome may depend less on persuading undecided voters than on which side gets its supporters to the polls. "The real functioning underlying question is who's gonna make it to the polls," Pasek said ². He added that most people have probably figured out how they will vote in the two races, leaving turnout efforts to decide the result ².

Turnout is generally lower in midterm elections than in presidential elections, making efforts to mobilize voters, particularly younger voters, an important part of the campaigns' closing days ². University of Michigan student Ava Donnelly said getting young people engaged could make a difference: "Getting people out, young people especially, to really get to the polls and get riled up" ².

Not every young voter is moved. Detroit resident Damarcus Woods, 22, said, "I'm 22. I just started voting. So, I'm just getting into the politics" ². A worker at Mock's Towing, asked if he planned to vote, said, "Right now man, not really," and added, "Whichever way it goes, it'll be the same" ².

The campaign schedule continues. Vance is set to campaign with Rogers in Howell on Tuesday, and on Wednesday comedian D.L. Hughley and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters are among those expected to appear with El-Sayed in Detroit ².

That matters because with seven days left, the candidates in both major statewide races are making their final push, and the deciding factor may ultimately be whether their supporters show up at the polls ².

The Record

1. Oct 26, 2026Sen. Bernie Sanders campaigned with Democrats in Ann Arbor, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rallied with Republicans in Grand Rapids ².
2. Oct 27, 2026Vice President JD Vance is expected in Howell to campaign with Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers ².
3. Oct 28, 2026Comedian D.L. Hughley and U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters are among those expected to appear with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit ².

Sources

1. Axios, “Scoop: Trump enlists football stars for final midterm push in Texas” (2026-10-26). axios.com/2026/10/26/trump-sports-texas-midterms-young-men
2. WXYZ 7 News Detroit, “Michigan candidates make final push as Election Day nears” (2026-10-27). wxyz.com/news/michigan-candidates-make-final-push-as-electio

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