Trump was the first Republican to win Michigan since 1988, defeating Hillary Clinton by fewer than 11,000 votes. In 2016, both Democratic support and turnout were down in Detroit and its suburbs. See 2020 primary results
COUNTIES TO WATCH
Wayne County
Democratic performance in Wayne County, which includes Detroit, is frequently blamed for Hillary Clinton's loss in the state in 2016. Although the Census Bureau estimates the county is losing population, Clinton won around 76,000 fewer votes than Obama got here in 2012, a difference that far outpaces the shift in population.
Kent County
Donald Trump narrowly carried this county in 2016, but Mitt Romney won with a nearly 8-point margin in 2012. It is one of just five counties in the state where Hillary Clinton outperformed Obama's 2012 numbers. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer narrowly carried it in her winning campaign for governor in 2018. Kent is home to Grand Rapids, the second largest city in the state.
Macomb County
A historic swing county with a suburban population, Macomb broke for Obama in 2008 and 2012 and Trump in 2016.
Saginaw County
Saginaw broke for Democrats in both the Bush and Obama years, but Trump narrowly carried the county in 2016.
Manistee County
A swing county through the 2000s and 2012, Donald Trump won here by 15 points in 2016.