By Luis De Jesus
Feb 27, 2024, 11:55 PM EST
US President Joe Biden secured victory in the Democratic party primaries in the state of Michigan, according to projections from several US media outlets, including CNN, NBC and CBS.
With 15% of the votes counted, Biden achieved 78% support compared to approximately 16% of “uncommitted” votes. This last percentage, in particular, has been crucial as it reflects discontent with the president’s foreign policy, especially his support for Israel during the conflict in the Gaza Strip, in counties with a large Arab population.
About 16% of voters checked the box for uncommitted delegates, as a way to express their rejection of the United States’ role in the Gaza war, ahead of the Democratic convention in August.
These primaries carry significant weight, as they reveal how the conflict in Gaza may affect Biden’s popularity ahead of the November elections. Michigan allocates 117 delegates to the Democratic convention, and although the “uncommitted” vote cannot alter the nomination, it can reflect the discomfort of certain sectors of voters during the convention.
Dean Phillips considered an option
In addition to Biden, Democrats considered Congressman Dean Phillips as an option, although the blank vote was the president’s main rival in Michigan.
Groups representing the Arab vote, Muslims and progressive Democrats, such as Listen to Michigan and Our Revolution, respectively, encouraged checking the box without pledged delegates as a protest against US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.
The president’s inability to mobilize his voter base in crucial areas like Detroit, with a high population of Arab origin, represents a concern heading into the presidential election, as current polls show Donald Trump leading in Michigan.
The state’s polling stations opened their doors early and were active until late to receive voters. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson reported that more than 1 million people had already cast their votes, by mail or in early voting.
On the other hand, the Republican party also held its primaries in Michigan, with a new victory for former President Donald Trump over the former United States representative to the UN, Nikki Haley.
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