In one Michigan city, 'uncommitted' claimed more votes than President Biden
With one precinct left to report election results, an unofficial tally shows a majority of Democratic presidential primary voters in Dearborn — home to large Arab American and Muslim communities — choosing "uncommitted" over President Joe Biden after cease-fire activists called for using the ballot box to protest Biden's support for Israel amid its war with Hamas that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
With 47 out of the city's 48 precincts reporting results, the "uncommitted" vote in Dearborn was 56% while Biden had received 40%, according to results posted on the city clerk's website. Biden won Dearborn in November 2020.
Dearborn City Clerk George Darany told the Free Press by phone after midnight they have one remaining precinct to count, Oakman, which is in a heavily-Arab part of the city. He said the "uncommitted" vote won in Dearborn. He said they're currently working on processing results by precinct and expect to have them later Wednesday.
The Listen to Michigan campaign to pressure Biden to demand a permanent cease-fire celebrated the showing for its "uncommitted" campaign during an election night gathering for supporters Tuesday in Dearborn.
More: Joe Biden faces toughest opponent yet — 'uncommitted' in Michigan primary: 5 takeaways
Some Dearborn voters who spoke to the Free Press Tuesday said that even though they voted for Biden in 2020, they don't know how they would vote in November in a Biden rematch against former President Donald Trump if the president doesn't change course on the war.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, who represents Dearborn in Congress endorsed Listen to Michigan's "uncommitted" campaign led by her sister, in a robocall to Michigan residents after in-person voting began Tuesday pitched the vote as a way to urge Biden to "win back the trust of the voting coalition" that elected him four years ago, according to a recording of the call shared by Our Revolution, the progressive political group Tlaib teamed up with for the final push.
But another prominent Michigan Democrat has argued that the "uncommitted" campaign will hurt Biden. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — a key Biden alley in the battleground state — has expressed concerns that "uncommitted" votes in the primary would bolster Trump's reelection campaign.
Organizers behind the "uncommitted" campaign have consistently emphasized support for their effort extends beyond Arab American and Muslim voters in Michigan.
Staff writer Kristi Tanner contributed to this report.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.
Looking for more on Michigan’s elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.