By Brendan Scanland
MARQUETTE, Mich. — Election Day is two weeks from Tuesday. Several swing states, including Michigan, are considered a must-win for the presidential candidates.
With a population of roughly 67,000, Marquette County is the most populated county in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.). The City of Marquette makes up roughly one-third of the county’s population and leans blue.
In 2020, President Joe Biden won the county by more than 4,000 votes. Voters here say they’re looking for civility and for a candidate who can unite the country.
“I hope we’ll get a candidate that, you know, is presidential,” said Mike Grossman.
Although the economy is a top issue for many Americans, Mike Grossman feels the impacts of high inflation are cooling.
“Inflation was bad, I know it affected a lot of people. But the thing is, right now, it’s not so bad. It’s back down again. Employment’s pretty good,” said Grossman.
Some small business owners in downtown Marquette say business has been good in recent months.
“It’s been incredible. We already shot over our sales goal within two and a half months for the year,” said Nicole Odom, who recently opened her bookshop, Read My Lips in downtown Marquette.
“I feel due to book talk and COVID people have just been wanting to have more of the books in their hands versus doing like Kindle or online reading,” said Odom.
Though undecided in the upcoming election, Odom says there are some issues she places front and center.
“I always think of women’s rights, equality, I feel like those are basic human rights for everybody. So those are always high on my list. And then, of course, being able to put food on the table for my kids,” said Odom.
Even though neighbors in the U.P. may have different views and carry different beliefs, Grossman says connections and relationships in the U.P. tend to run deeper than politics.
“The beautiful thing about the U.P., our neighbors have completely different political views than we do, and it doesn’t interfere with our friendship whatsoever,” said Grossman.
