Biden and Trump secure decisive victories in Michigan primaries

The press agency Associated Press declared the winners of the presidential races shortly after the polling stations closed and the earliest results came in. Both Trump and Biden were anticipated to secure easy wins in Michigan, a state renowned for its automotive industry.

With around 20 percent of the votes counted, President Biden had secured about 80 percent of the vote. His challengers, Congressman Dean Phillips from Minnesota and esoteric self-help book author Marianne Williamson, each managed to attract almost 3 percent of the vote. However, close to 15 percent of voters refrained from backing any candidate, influenced by a campaign led by activists from Michigan's Muslim and Arab communities—the largest of such diasporas in the U.S. This campaign aimed at voicing discontent with Biden's stance on the Gaza Strip conflict.

"Our movement emerged victorious today, far exceeding our expectations. Tens of thousands of Democrats in Michigan disengaged from the reelection effort because of the situation in Gaza," Layla Elabed, leader of the Listen to Michigan campaign, stated.

Michigan plays a pivotal role in determining the outcome of presidential elections. Analysts have suggested that the shifting allegiance of Muslim voters could significantly influence the state's results, where Biden previously defeated Trump by a margin of around 150,000 votes in 2020.

In the Republican Party contest, Trump celebrated yet another victory, this time over his former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. This marked the ex-president's fifth consecutive win, edging him closer to a highly probable nomination for the upcoming presidential election in November. Despite her defeat, Haley, a representative of the moderate wing and often seen as an alternative to Trump, has vowed to continue her campaign at least until "Super Tuesday" on March 5, when 16 states will cast their votes.

In Michigan, after approximately 22 percent of the ballots were tallied, Trump was leading Haley by a margin of 66 to 30 percent.