DETROIT, MI -- Michigan’s Democratic primary election is about Bernie Sanders’ revolution versus Joe Biden’s establishment politics, the Vermont senator told supporters at a packed rally in Detroit.

Introduced as the next president of the United States by firebrand first-term U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, Sanders told an animated crowd of roughly 6,000 that his fight against the wealthy and corrupt is in its most important stage. Sanders said Biden can’t inspire the support needed to take on President Donald Trump, criticizing the former vice president’s past support of the Iraq War, the North American Free Trade Agreement and various other policies Sanders framed as regressive.

“To defeat Trump, we are going to need the largest voter turnout in the history of our country," Sanders said. "We are going to need a campaign of energy and excitement. As I look at the thousands of people here tonight, we are the campaign of energy and excitement.”

Biden has a slight edge in the number of delegates as the election turns to Michigan, and the state’s 125 delegates are a precious prize for the former vice president and “democratic socialist.” Both campaigns are jetting across Michigan to sway undecided voters in the final days of the election, planning a flurry of rallies and smaller events throughout the weekend.

“It is hard to create energy and enthusiasm when Joe Biden’s campaign has received funding from over 60 billionaires in this country," Sanders said. “People understand you’re not going to work for the working class and middle class when you are dependent on contributions from the wealthiest people in this country.”

Sanders and Biden are essentially the last candidates standing from a large and historically diverse field of Democrats vying to take on President Donald Trump. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, is still running and visited Detroit this week, but is far behind the other two candidates in the delegate count.

The race has become more competitive after the departure of several candidates this week. Elizabeth Warren has not put her support behind either of the remaining candidates, while Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg and Mike Bloomberg endorsed around Biden.

Sanders’ campaign made the theme of the primary clear in a Thursday email to supporters after Warren ended her campaign.

“Now that it is Bernie vs. Biden, the question of this campaign is increasingly clear: Which side are you on?” the email read.

Bernie Sanders & Detroit vs Everybody pic.twitter.com/dqIAwof38r — Bill Neidhardt (@BNeidhardt) March 7, 2020

Biden isn’t scheduled to step foot in Michigan until Monday, but he’s gained an influential set of surrogates after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and several other high-profile Democrats endorsed Biden this week.

Sanders told reporters he’s not concerned that Whitmer backed Biden, saying he’d rather have the support of grassroots organizations and working people than “establishment politicians.” Sanders endorsed one of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2018 primary opponents before supporting her gubernatorial bid in the general election.

“That wasn’t her thoughts when I came here to help her get elected as a matter of fact," Sanders said, referencing the 2018 race when asked about Whitmer’s endorsement.

Sanders was viewed as the Democratic front-runner while Biden lost the first three primary states, but the former vice president bounced back by winning nine of 14 states up for grabs on Super Tuesday.

Sanders’ supporters remain confident that he can win Michigan a second time. Brandon Masters, a 30-year-old Pontiac resident, said Sanders didn’t have the support of Democratic party leaders in 2016 either.

“That happened with Hillary in 2016 and he still managed to find a way to win,” Masters said. “It will be a tough battle for sure, but I think he can definitely find a way if people come out and vote.”

Masters is more concerned that Sanders’ younger supporters won’t come out to vote on March 10. Younger voters could be seen leaving the event after 30 minutes into Sanders’ remarks.

“I’m sure hoping they (vote), but I’m slightly worried about that,” Masters said. “I thought that he would do better on Super Tuesday. I think a lack of turnout might have caused him to not do as well.”

Sanders said he knows “a lot of you have friends that think politics is bullshit, they don’t vote,” but encouraged supporters to convince others to “stop complaining and stand up, fight back and get involved.”

Michigan holds particular significance for Democrats because it is among a group of Midwest states that comprised the “blue wall” in past presidential elections. Trump was the first Republican in decades to win Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania but took each state by a narrow margin.

Sanders took aim at Biden for supporting trade deals he called a “disaster” for union workers in those three states. Biden voted in favor of the North American Free Trade Agreement as a U.S. senator.

“If we are going to beat Trump in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, it will be very hard for a candidate who voted for these disastrous trade deals,” Sanders said.

Trump called Sanders a “communist” at a Thursday town hall in Pennsylvania. The president said he was surprised by Biden’s apparent comeback, but stands ready to face either Democrat.

“I think, in a certain way, Bernie would be tougher because he’s got a base," Trump said. "It’s a much smaller base than my base. I think we have a lot of support everywhere. Look at the rallies. Look at the rallies.”

The crowd at Sanders’ Detroit rally didn’t lack enthusiasm. Attendees cheered as Sanders outlined his top policy proposals, including free college, universal government-run health insurance and criminal justice reform.

The self-proclaimed “democratic-socialist” pledged to pass comprehensive immigration reform, increase funding for Social Security and Planned Parenthood, codify abortion rights in law and improve access to clean water in cities like Flint.

He also condemned the influence of the “1%," wealthiest Americans, saying they have unlimited amounts of money, own the media, buy politicians and determine whether jobs stay in Michigan or go to Mexico or China.

Rhonda Cushman, a 60-year-old Redford resident, said she’s been following the Vermont senator for most of her life. Cushman, who described herself as progressive, said she’s not worried that Trump and Republicans will likely paint Sanders as a radical.

“Sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zones and it’s going to take that this time,” Cushman said. “Bernie knows how to speak to all people. He’s shown that all his career. I think he can bring us back to where we need to be. He’s a uniter of races and religions.”

Sanders is scheduled to hold a rally in Dearborn on Saturday, March 7 at Salina Intermediate School. Sanders will also convene a town hall on racial and economic justice in Flint later that night at Mott Community College.

Sanders will also attend Sunday, March 8 rallies in downtown Grand Rapids and the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Read more on MLive:

A complete guide: How to see Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders campaign events in Michigan this weekend and Monday

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorses Biden, joining campaign as a national co-chair

Bernie Sanders slams Joe Biden on trade before Michigan rally in Detroit

The big question for Michigan Democrats: Is Biden or Sanders more likely to beat Trump?

Gretchen Whitmer to give Michigan a voice in Joe Biden campaign strategy