Why is Donald Trump hosting a rally in Battle Creek?

Brooks Hepp | Battle Creek Enquirer

When President Donald Trump steps on stage in Kellogg Arena tonight, Battle Creek will be in the national spotlight.

“It is exciting for Battle Creek, and we like to be on the national stage because we think we are a great community,” said City Manager Rebecca Fleury.

But Battle Creek isn't a big city. It has a population of 52,347, according to the most recent census data, making it the 30th largest city in Michigan and the 710th largest in the United States.

So why is Trump hosting a “Merry Christmas” rally here?

Michigan is a swing state

The importance of Michigan as a swing state is a major reason for Trump’s appearance in Battle Creek, according to Matt Grossmann, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University.

“It’s certainly going to be one of the most intense battlegrounds in the country,” he said.

Trump is coming off a narrow Michigan victory in the 2016 election, in which he took home 47.3% of the votes in Michigan, as opposed to 47.0% from Hilary Clinton.

Michigan has a history of voting for both Republican and Democratic candidates. Barack Obama won 54.3% of the votes in Michigan in 2012.

Grossmann said Calhoun County, specifically, is a swing region. The county voted for Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012.

“It’s certainly an important area,” he said.

It's not the most important area in Michigan, he added, but it's near some of the most important areas.

For example, NBC News named Kent County one of the five most important counties for the 2020 election.

“There are a lot of swing voters in the area,” he said.

Expect more Trump visits to Michigan

This likely won’t be the only trip Trump makes to Michigan during his campaign, Grossman said.

“He’ll probably hit most of the significant places in Michigan by the election,” he said.

Joe Schwarz, former Battle Creek mayor and former member of the House of Representatives, thinks Trump will make as many as three or four more trips to Michigan, including likely Grand Rapids, which has become a bigger battleground region because it is not as conservative as it used to be.

"He is going to want to nail down areas that tend to vote Republican," he said. "But Grand Rapids isn't as Republican as it used to be."

Grossmann said the fact that Trump is visiting Battle Creek 11 months in advance shows that there are more important places in Michigan he’ll visit closer to election time.

“It’s important to remember that we have a long way to go,” he said.

Other logistics

Logistically, Battle Creek is an appealing city to host a rally.

Kellogg Arena is one of the only venues in West Michigan big enough to host a rally of this size, and its location off of Interstate 94 makes it accessible to nearby communities.

“There are many other factors,” Grossmann said.

Schwarz believes Battle Creek is built to host events like this because of its location, airport and Kellogg arena.

"If he wanted to come to southwest Michigan, it's reasonable. It's reachable. Air Force One can land at the airport. Logistically, it works," he said.

Schwarz said that he is happy Battle Creek is hosting the rally, and he believes the city is up to the challenge.

"I think it's going to go well," he said. "I'm happy he's coming here. I would say that if he was Republican or Democrat. If you're going to come to Michigan, why not Battle Creek?"

Contact Brooks Hepp at (269) 223-0114 or bhepp@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BrooksHepp.