Biden campaign acknowledges Michigan protest vote

President Biden’s reelection campaign acknowledged the contingent of voters who cast a ballot for “uncommitted” during Michigan’s primary election Tuesday, which exposed a weakness for Biden in a key state he needs to win in November.

The protest campaign, which advocated for Michiganders to vote uncommitted based on their anger over Biden’s handling of Israel’s war in Gaza, led to an “uncommitted” vote of more than 13 percent in Michigan.

A campaign official acknowledged the numbers, saying they will work hard to earn every vote and that the president is working tirelessly for peace in Gaza.

The official also pointed out the high turnout for Biden in a noncompetitive primary, noting 800,000 people voted for him Tuesday.

Biden released a statement late Tuesday thanking “every Michigander who made their voice heard” but didn’t mention the Israel-Hamas war. Vice President Harris also released a statement, saying “these primary results make clear the people of Michigan are ready for this fight,” which also didn’t mention Gaza.

The uncommitted initiative in Michigan had gained traction in previous elections too.

The last time an incumbent Democratic president ran in a Michigan primary, which was former President Obama in 2012, the “uncommitted” movement got more than 10 percent of all votes cast.

In the 2008 Democratic primary, 38 percent of Michiganders ages 18 to 29 voted uncommitted and 68 percent of Black Michiganders voted uncommitted rather than for Hillary Clinton. Obama wasn’t on the Michigan ballot during that year’s primary.