Slotkin says US Senate Democratic primary is a battle between ‘rhetoric and substance’
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
In a final campaign push before Tuesday’s primary election, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) on Saturday addressed a couple dozen volunteers at a small bar patio in Grand Rapids.
She spoke with the West Michigan volunteers individually before explaining her platform and answering questions. Strengthening the middle class, keeping manufacturing and farming in the U.S. and fighting the “real” dangers to children, like gun violence, topped her list of priorities.
Slotkin also emphasized the importance of codifying rights, like voting protections and abortion, through Congress instead of relying on the right-wing U.S. Supreme Court. She promised to work on reforming the filibuster to get that work done.
Slotkin also told the Advance she supports reforming the ethics code for the Supreme Court and would be “open” to term limits, a change President Joe Biden proposed last month.
“I think the Democratic Party needs to understand that we can no longer just play defense on our rights and our democracy,” Slotkin said. “… I am really sick of playing defense.”
Longtime U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) announced her retirement earlier this year, leaving the competitive seat wide open without an incumbent. Slotkin and actor Hill Harper are facing off for the Democratic nomination.
Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake), former Rep. Justin Amash (I-Cascade Twp.) and Dr. Sherry O’Donnell are competing for the GOP nomination.
Slotkin told the Advance that she believes her experience working in the U.S. House for three terms, the Defense department and on the National Security Council makes her the best choice for the nomination.
“It’s really a sort of competition between rhetoric and substance, and I have the receipts from my time as a congresswoman. I have the receipts from my time in the federal government and national security,” Slotkin said to the Advance. “I know what it’s like to listen to someone and hear their pain and their story and then translate that into a piece of legislation and then work hard across the aisle to actually get it done.”
Greg Bowens, a spokesperson for the Harper campaign, said that Harper’s experience as a union member, small-business owner, father of a school-aged child, caretaker for his mother and actor has equipped him to understand and work for residents.
“When it comes to these kinds of experiences and being able to empathize with people in a way that’s outside of the government realm, outside of the military industrial complex, outside of war, for example, [it] allows for you to have a more humanistic approach and a more grounded approach in shaping policy decisions,” Bowens said, pointing to Harper’s calls for a ceasefire in Gaza as an example of his empathy in creating his political platform.
While Slotkin told volunteers that working with GOP lawmakers was important to passing legislation, she also said that did not mean compromising her values, like defending LGBTQ+ rights.
Strengthening and expanding the middle class is one of Slotkin’s keystone priorities. She told volunteers she wants to make higher education and health care more affordable, in addition to creating manufacturing jobs and supporting U.S. farmers.
“To me, as a multiracial, multiethnic, experiment democracy, if we don’t have that, that idea that if you work hard, you will do well and your kids will do better, we’re in real trouble,” Slotkin said.
She also spoke about addressing dangers that impact children, like gun violence, climate change, mental health issues, drug abuse and poverty. Slotkin clarified that she was only talking about “real” issues, and that library books are not a threat to children. Some Republicans in Michigan and across the country have backed banning certain books, often those about LGBTQ+ and racial issues.
“This idea that either you’re a gun owner or you care about children’s safety is complete B.S.,” Slotkin said. “That is a false choice, and what we need to do is bring our gun owner friends into the conversation on safety.”
If Slotkin wins the Democratic nomination this week, she told volunteers she planned to campaign around the state with Stabenow, a la the film, “Thelma and Louise.” She said meeting with people all over the state will be important to winning the competitive Senate seat, and Democratic candidates will have to work hard to win over independent voters ahead of the general election in November.
“It’s just trying to be everywhere,” Slotkin told the Advance. “People want to know that you’re going to show up in their community and listen to their issues. It’s just making the point of going to, obviously, much further distances, going to events that mean something to people, meeting with leaders who have a lot to say about their local issues.”
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) campaigns in Grand Rapids on Aug. 3, 2024. | Lucy Valeski
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