Residents in Michigan are eager for more financial relief. They want their money to stretch further and are looking for effective measures at the Southern U.S. border that would lead to fewer individuals entering or remaining in the country illegally.

As stated by Tori Sachs, a Republican activist in Michigan, “People are yearning for a sensible America like the one they knew growing up.”

This perspective may be viewed differently, with Vice President Kamala Harris criticizing the notion with her campaign’s mantra: “We’re not going back.” However, when voters cast their ballots, many in Michigan joined the broader trend: Though they may feel financially strained, they are in favor of what Trump offers.

“I’m looking forward to seeing improvements in inflation and other related issues,” shared Nicole Urbytes, 21, from Frankenmuth. “This would greatly help my family, as we live on a tight budget.”

Urbytes mentioned she went to bed early without checking the election results after putting her 6-month-old son, Elijah, to sleep. She found out Trump had won when she woke up to check her phone.

“I wasn’t too shocked, as that was what I was kind of expecting and hoping for,” she remarked. “We all remember Harris saying she wouldn’t change anything about Biden’s presidency, and things are clearly not going well. So, people seem to recognize that it just isn’t working.”

Trump secured Michigan by around 82,000 votes, a narrower margin than Biden’s victory in 2020 but significantly more than Trump’s slim win in 2016. Throughout this election, despite some inconsistencies in his messaging, Trump consistently committed to reducing the costs of goods, toughening immigration policies, and opposing transgender participation in sports and bathrooms not corresponding with gender at birth.

According to Peter Wielhouwer, a political science professor at Western Michigan University, Trump’s proposals resonated with voters because they felt relevant to their daily lives.

“On those key points, Trump’s agenda reflected people’s hopes and anxieties, while Harris defended a lackluster economy and an unpopular incumbent,” he stated.

“She focused on the 2022 issues of abortion and reproductive rights, but those concerns didn’t outweigh what people are experiencing in their lives.”

At 86, Phyllis Pinick from Charlevoix voted for Trump out of worry for her large family’s future. “I have five children, 20 grandchildren, and I’m getting my 35th great-grandchild,” she said while shopping at Oleson’s grocery store. “I’ve been praying for them, for what lies ahead.”

Pinick expressed that issues like illegal immigration, crime rates, and “transgender issues” were pivotal in her voting decision. She hopes Trump will act to lower the national debt during his anticipated second term.

“Look, we’re trillions of dollars in debt,” she remarked. “That’s a burden for future generations. Someone has to deal with this.”

A recent analysis from Free Press highlighted that among the approximately 170,000 students involved in high school sports in Michigan, only two are officially competing as transgender girls. In her previous campaign, Harris strongly backed transgender rights, but this time she stated she would adhere to the federal guidelines enforced during Trump’s first term, which mandates that any medical treatment deemed necessary by a physician must be provided to individuals in federal custody.

Sachs, a mother of four, noted that she frequently hears concerns regarding transgender athletes and bathroom access while watching her kids partake in sports.

Economists predict that Trump’s policies are likely to increase the national debt — during his initial term, the debt rose approximately $7.8 trillion, and since his re-election, bond markets have surged, suggesting investors anticipate his approach will elevate debt and inflation. Despite this, voters continue to hold Biden and Harris accountable for their financial struggles, even with indicators suggesting some economic recovery in recent times.

Trump’s supporters have faith in their president-elect. They are less concerned about the methods he uses to achieve his objectives or what experts predict about the outcomes:

When Donald Trump promises to reduce expenses and enhance affordability, many people trust his word.

According to Wielhouwer, “People aren’t always accurate at predicting the future, but they do remember their past experiences well.”

“While most are aware that tariffs can be harmful, if someone presents tariffs as a solution to their struggles—despite the fact that many don’t fully grasp how tariffs work—they may see it as a tangible answer, even if it doesn’t actually solve the issue,” he explained.

Mark Jacobs, the mayor of Garden City—a blue-collar community in western Wayne County with a population of about 27,000—shared that traditionally, his town has voted Democratic.

This time, however, he was taken aback.

“Preliminary results showed a surprising shift as many people voted Republican,” he noted. “It’s quite astonishing since Garden City usually leans Democratic.”

In Garden City, unofficial results indicated Trump secured 53% of the votes, compared to Kamala Harris’s 44%. Among those who voted straight party tickets, the difference was narrower at 50% to 46%, but Republicans still led.

Jacobs, who runs for office in a nonpartisan capacity, refrained from discussing his voting decisions. However, he learned from residents about their motivations for their choices.

Trump has historically garnered strong support among white working-class voters, and his campaign made an effort to engage with the residents of Garden City.

Issues related to foreign wars contributed somewhat, although minimally—an exit poll from Reuters revealed that only 4% of voters regarded foreign policy as their top concern in the presidential race. Kimberly Ruttenberg, a 42-year-old from Monroe who identifies as Jewish and Israeli, shared her belief that Trump could help end the conflict in Gaza. She also echoed other Trump supporters’ cultural and economic worries.

“I want to see America embrace its Christian-Judeo foundations. I desire lower taxes and equal opportunities for all, not just for white people. It’s important to me that there are more prospects for Black individuals, Asians, women, and those with intellectual disabilities,” she expressed.

“I expect to witness a decrease in costs for groceries, gas, rent, mortgages, and healthcare. I want greater accountability for those in power and more job opportunities that are easier to access.”

Every voter’s reasoning is unique. Exit polls and discussions with voters indicated that economic issues were pivotal, influencing the decision to support Trump.

CNN’s exit polls from Michigan revealed that Trump attracted 65% of voters who rated the economy as “not so good” and 85% of those who labeled it as “poor”. This demographic made up about two-thirds of the exit poll participants.

The exit polls also indicated Trump made gains among Black, Latino, and younger voters in Michigan. In 2020, Biden captured 61% of the votes from those aged 18 to 29, whereas in 2024, Trump and Harris split this age group evenly at 49%, marking a significant shift toward Trump.

Jayden Parks, an 18-year-old senior at Clarkston High School, is interning at a real estate office and delivering food for DoorDash on the side.

He made his first presidential vote for Trump.

“I feel like with Trump, the chances of having a prosperous economy increase,” he stated. “I believe he will take a tougher stance on current global issues and prevent further conflicts.”

Social topics could also be influencing Trump’s appeal to young voters. Parks commented, “Trump seems to represent traditional values, and many people are gravitating toward that. There’s a growing discontent with the so-called ‘woke’ culture and with transgender athletes participating in women’s sports—people find that unjust.”

David Dulio, a political science professor at Oakland University, mentioned he is still analyzing the exit poll data for conclusive insights from the election but noted some clear patterns.

“This election revolved around the economy, particularly inflation,” he remarked.

According to Dulio, the economic situation might clarify why Trump seems to be gaining support among younger voters.

“These young individuals are likely assessing their futures, which seem more uncertain than they would prefer,” he remarked. “Perhaps Trump has effectively communicated that he can address these issues.”

Evan Hubbs, a 20-year-old political science student at Iowa State University from Birmingham, voted absentee in Michigan. He also supports Trump for his first presidential vote, although he is impressed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“There are some aspects I don’t agree with, but I believe Trump accomplished a lot during his time,” Hubbs mentioned. “Unemployment was low, particularly among certain minority groups, and the economy was thriving. We achieved energy independence.”

This sentiment resonates with numerous voters: fond memories often appear clearer than the uncertainties surrounding the future.

“Voters tend to make choices based on past experiences. They are assessing events from recent years, particularly the last four years during presidential elections,” Wielhouwer observed.

“(Trump’s) perspective on the economy aligns with their experiences and challenges. Kamala Harris was unable to counter that.”

In this election, many Michigan voters expressed a desire to return to a previous state of affairs. Whether Trump will fulfill the promises of a new prosperous era or if the concerns of Michigan’s Democratic minority will come to fruition is yet to be determined.