An auto worker in Macomb County, Michigan, recently laid off by Stellantis, is speaking out, directly blaming Vice President Kamala Harris' electric vehicle (EV) mandate for his job loss. The worker, who is one of 1,100 people affected by layoffs at the automotive giant, has made a surprising shift in his political stance—announcing he will be voting for Donald Trump for the first time in the 2024 election.
The worker, who asked to remain anonymous, says he never expected to find himself on the unemployment line after years of dedicated service to Stellantis. However, the company’s recent decision to cut jobs amid the transition to electric vehicles has left him frustrated and angry at what he describes as Harris' push to “destroy” traditional auto manufacturing in favor of electric cars.
“I’ve been with Stellantis for years, and now I’m out of work because of this EV mandate,” the worker shared in an emotional interview. “This isn’t what I signed up for, and it’s not what most of us want.”
EV Mandate Sparks Controversy in Michigan
Harris has been an advocate for the transition to electric vehicles as part of the Biden administration’s broader climate change and clean energy agenda. However, for many auto workers in Michigan, the EV mandate is a source of growing concern. Traditional automakers, like Stellantis, are grappling with the expensive shift to EV production, which has resulted in plant closures, job cuts, and a ripple effect across Michigan’s once-thriving auto industry.
For this particular worker, the issue is personal.
“Kamala's pushing this EV thing like it’s the only way forward, but she’s putting us out of work,” he said. “Now, I’m left scrambling to figure out what’s next for me and my family.”
A Shift in Political Allegiance
In what may come as a surprise to many, the auto worker revealed that this year will mark the first time he votes for Donald Trump, a stark shift from his previous voting history.
“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m voting for Trump,” he admitted. “At least he’s talking about bringing jobs back, about saving our industry. Kamala and Biden don’t seem to care about workers like us.”
This sentiment is gaining traction in Michigan, a key battleground state where auto workers and unions have long played a pivotal role in elections. Many blue-collar workers, feeling the sting of job losses linked to the EV transition, are turning away from the Democratic Party in favor of Trump’s promise to protect American jobs and industries.
The Bigger Picture: A Battle Over the Future of the Auto Industry
As the 2024 election approaches, the debate over the future of the auto industry is intensifying. Harris and the Biden administration argue that transitioning to electric vehicles is essential for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. But for workers like the laid-off Stellantis employee, the reality of job cuts and factory closures has cast a dark shadow over the EV agenda.
“It’s easy for them to say it’s for the environment, but what about us?” the worker questioned. “What are we supposed to do when our jobs are gone? They don’t seem to have an answer for that.”
For now, this auto worker is clear about one thing: his vote in 2024 will go to the candidate who he believes can restore the jobs lost to the EV mandate.
“I’ve never voted for Trump before, but this time, I’m all in,” he declared. “I just hope he can bring back what we’ve lost.”