On October 9, 2024, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow met with United Auto Workers (UAW) members in Lansing, alongside Delaware Senator Chris Coons and former Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly. The discussion centered around the Harris Walz plan, which aims to boost U.S. jobs and manufacturing, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector [52a9ec47]. Stabenow endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the candidate best suited to support Michigan's future in EV battery plants, emphasizing the critical nature of the upcoming election for the economy and manufacturing [52a9ec47].
However, the meeting revealed a split among UAW members regarding their preferred candidates. Some, like retired member Brian Pannebecker, expressed support for Donald Trump, citing his record of advocating for workers and questioning Harris's experience [52a9ec47]. In contrast, UAW Local 602 President Mike Huerta defended Harris, arguing that Trump failed to support workers during the 2019 strike, highlighting the importance of reliable leadership in labor matters [52a9ec47].
Stabenow also discussed significant investments in the Revex project located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which is focused on enhancing U.S. RV manufacturing capabilities to better compete with China. She asserted that the future of electric vehicles is intrinsically linked to American manufacturing and the ability to innovate within the industry [52a9ec47].
This dialogue reflects the broader concerns within the UAW about the direction of labor policies and manufacturing in the U.S. as the 2024 election approaches, with members weighing the implications of their choices on the future of the automotive industry [52a9ec47].