St. Clair County, Michigan

President Trump plans a rally in St. Clair County on Sunday, Oct. 25, roughly 10 days before Michigan's Nov. 3 election, with the exact venue still unannounced. The visit follows the start of early voting and comes a day after former President Obama campaigns for Democrats in Detroit. St. Clair County, part of a heavily Republican district, sits in the backdrop of Michigan's closely watched Senate race between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, alongside contests for governor and several competitive U.S. House seats. Trump last visited Michigan in July; Vice President Vance campaigned there Oct. 16, criticizing El-Sayed during a Monroe rally.

Some Michigan Republican officials and candidates are voicing concern about their party's prospects in the November election, citing surging gas and diesel prices linked to the war in Iran and signs of flagging GOP voter enthusiasm. Former state Rep. Pam Hornberger called the fight to keep the state House majority a "huge struggle" and said Republicans have little chance of flipping a key state Senate seat in suburban Detroit. A Marquette County GOP chairman described local volunteer enthusiasm as at "all time lows," and a former 5th District GOP chairman estimated a fifth of Trump's base may sit out the election or vote Democratic.

Republicans currently hold a narrow 58-52 state House majority, while Democrats control the state Senate 20-18. GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers has proposed suspending fuel taxes to ease costs. Other Republicans, including Rep. Mark Tisdel and former Rep. Rocky Raczkowski, offered more mixed assessments, acknowledging a difficult political environment tied to affordability concerns and the desire among voters for checks on unified Republican control in Washington.

Federal emergency orders keeping the J.H. Campbell coal plant in west Michigan running have emerged as a campaign issue in the state's 4th District U.S. House race. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has repeatedly extended 90-day directives forcing the plant to stay open past its planned closure, citing electricity supply concerns, despite Consumers Energy's earlier deal with state officials to shut it down.

Democratic challenger Sean McCann is attacking GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga over the plant's continued operation, arguing it has raised Consumers Energy customers' bills by more than $200 million and pledging to push for its closure if elected. Huizenga counters that Michigan's clean-energy mandates, championed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Democrats including McCann, are driving up utility costs and threatening reliable power. Rep. Hillary Scholten joined McCann in criticizing the administration's intervention as an unprecedented move against a private utility's decision. The dispute reflects a broader national fight over fossil fuel plant closures versus renewable energy transitions, playing out in a district expected to be closely contested this November.

Michigan Republicans gathered in Mount Pleasant on Aug. 22 for their nominating convention, finalizing a statewide ticket ahead of a November midterm that will decide the governorship, a U.S. Senate seat and other key offices. The event ratified April's endorsement convention picks, confirming Anthony Forlini and Doug Lloyd as nominees for secretary of state and attorney general, and formally nominated state Rep. Jay DeBoyer as gubernatorial candidate John James' running mate. James and Senate nominee Mike Rogers used the stage to attack Democrats over antisemitism, socialism and economic issues, with Rogers casting Democratic Senate rival Abdul El-Sayed as untrustworthy. Party figures emphasized unity and a "positive" tone after past fractures within the state GOP.

James will face Democratic nominee Jocelyn Benson, who recently named state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks as her running mate. Despite the enthusiasm, Republicans trailed Democrats in primary turnout and face fundraising gaps down-ballot. Chairman Jim Runestad said Michigan remains competitive and must be "earned," while Democrats countered that voters will hold Republicans accountable for economic conditions. Democrats hold their own convention the following weekend to confirm their ticket.