Michigan voters give their thoughts on candidates, economy ahead of presidential debate

LANSING, Mich. (WILX/WNEM/WILX) - President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are facing off Thursday night in their first debate before November's election.

Most polls across the board have shown a tight race in Michigan, with neither candidate able to take a clear lead.

A professor at Michigan State University and the Director of the American Communities Project, Dante Chinni said while a lot of attention will be on Thursday's debate, he predicts not a lot of minds will be changed.

"It may be the only debate, that makes it a high-stakes affair. But in terms of what we're going to learn about these two men, I don't really know what else is to learn about these two men. We know more than enough," Chinni predicted.

The Biden-Harris campaign has been holding community events across the state. Wednesday, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor held a roundtable with local small business owners highlighting the record number of new businesses and manufacturing jobs that have been created over the past four years.

"President Biden hasn't wavered, but under Trump we were hurting. I think it's a very clear difference," Schor said.

The Michigan Republican Party Chair Pete Hoekstra said Biden's campaign is "reaching." He pointed to the high inflation facing the country today.

"The policies of the Biden administration over the last three years are the reason we're finding ourselves in the difficult situation that we're in today," Hoekstra said.

While campaign officials and surrogates give their side, voters are hoping to hear from the candidates about how they will address the issues affecting Michigan residents and businesses.

A poll from the New York Times says the top concerns for Michigan voters is the economy, immigration and abortion. A majority of Michigan voters that responded to the poll are not happy with the economy. However, feelings are still mixed.

Clint Tarver, a small business owner in Lansing, said he's trying to keep his prices low, which is making it more challenging to operate.

"The economy's been bad under Biden. Everything is double. I've got to pay double for my hamburger, I've got to pay double for my hot do, even ketchup and mustard is double," Tarver explained.

One Lansing resident said he's actually been doing well under President Biden, finding a new job with better pay.

"I think everyone's 401Ks were doing well under Trump, but a lot of other aspects that are important to me were not doing well under Trump," he said.

Despite the differences, voters hope the candidates will draw a contrast between them that will make voters think more deeply on who they want to see in the White House.