Overview
- Vice President JD Vance held a rally in Howell on Tuesday to energize Republican voters and deliver pointed attacks against Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El‑Sayed.
- Vance accused El‑Sayed of wanting to 'defund the police,' tied him to controversial figures, and warned that his policies would bring unrest like the protests in France, claims that independent fact‑checks have disputed.
- Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel issued an immediate rebuke saying the visit celebrated administration policies that raised costs for families and urging voters to reject Michigan Republicans next week.
- The Howell stop was used to boost GOP nominees Mike Rogers, John James and Rep. Tom Barrett and to shore up turnout in the competitive 7th Congressional District contest between Barrett and Democrat William Lawrence.
- The rally is one of several high‑profile visits in Michigan by national figures this week, and campaigns are using surrogates and livestreams to try to shape turnout and messaging in contests that could affect Senate, governor and House control.