GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- There are 41 days until the general election, and the pace of visits to Michigan by the presidential candidates will only accelerate from here on out until Nov. 5.
On West Michigan's Morning News, iHeart White House correspondent Jon Decker noted that Michigan has 15 electoral votes.
"A new poll out today from USA Today shows the vice president (Kamala Harris) with a very narrow 3-point lead over Donald Trump in Michigan," Decker said. "Four percent in this poll still undecided and, of course, it's within the poll's margin of error. So that gives you a sense about how close this election is - how close it is in Michigan."
Michigan's 15 electoral votes potentially could decide the outcome of the presidential election. It is one of a small handful of swing states. A total of 270 votes in the electoral college is needed to win the presidency.
"The path to 270 ... certainly for both campaigns, runs through Michigan. Both candidates acknowledge that. Both campaigns acknowledge that," Decker said.
He said the economy, the auto industry and manufacturing are some of the key issues the candidates are focusing on in Michigan.
Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation to a presidential debate October 23rd on CNN. So far, former President Donald Trump has not. It would be in the same format as the first debate between the two on ABC on Sept. 10.
Meanwhile, Democratic congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and former Republican congressman Mike Rogers are preparing for a debate one week from today. They're running for the U.S. Senate seat that incumbent Debbie Stabenow will be retiring from at year's end. The first debate will be hosted by WOOD-TV at 7 p.m. and moderated by political reporter Rick Albin on Oct. 8. The second debate is scheduled for Oct. 14 in Detroit.
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