Sen. Elissa Slotkin sits down with Trump voters in Iowa while campaigning for Democrats

The Michigan senator is gathering insights on how Democrats could win over President Trump's supporters.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:42am

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A cinematic painting of a solitary politician sitting alone at a diner counter, the warm light and deep shadows creating a contemplative, nostalgic mood that evokes the challenges of bridging political divides.A pensive politician contemplates how to bridge the partisan divide and reconnect with middle-American voters.Indianola Today

Michigan U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, is in Iowa to support Democratic congressional candidates and gather insights on how Democrats could win over President Donald Trump's supporters. Slotkin sat down with a group of Trump voters to ask what it would take for them to consider voting for a Democrat, as part of her efforts to 'rehab the Democratic brand' and appeal to voters in the middle of the country.

Why it matters

Slotkin's outreach to Trump voters in Iowa is part of a broader strategy by Democrats to win back parts of the country that have swung Republican in recent elections. As a potential 2028 presidential candidate, Slotkin is looking to introduce herself to voters outside her home state of Michigan and understand what it will take for the Democratic Party to be more competitive in places like Iowa, which voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 but has since backed Trump.

The details

During her visit to Iowa, Slotkin sat down with a group of five Trump voters and peppered them with questions about divisiveness in U.S. politics, issues affecting their communities, and what it would take for them to consider voting for a Democrat. Slotkin, who had not yet revealed her political affiliation to the group, also asked what they would look for in an ideal candidate and why they chose Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. Slotkin's goal is to gather insights that could help the Democratic Party win back parts of the country that have swung Republican in recent elections.

  • Slotkin's visit to Iowa took place on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Slotkin is also scheduled to hold a town hall in Ohio on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Elissa Slotkin

A U.S. Senator from Michigan and a potential Democratic 2028 presidential contender. Slotkin is visiting Iowa to support Democratic congressional candidates and gather insights on how Democrats could win over President Trump's supporters.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who won Iowa in the last three elections after the state voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.

Kamala Harris

The current Vice President of the United States, who Slotkin says some Iowa voters chose over Trump in the 2024 election.

Ed Klavins

A retiree from Urbandale, Iowa, who participated in Slotkin's focus group and was paid $200 plus lunch to do so. Klavins voted for Trump and wants politicians from both parties who challenge their party's status quo.

Zach Nunn

A Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa whose seat is one of the most competitive House races in the country, and who Slotkin is campaigning against.

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What they’re saying

“'What would have gotten you to actually consider a Democrat?'”

— Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator

“'She's trying to figure out what she can do differently to have a better chance of getting reelected and maybe higher office.'”

— Ed Klavins, Retiree

“'I like her.'”

— Ed Klavins, Retiree

What’s next

Slotkin plans to continue her outreach to Trump voters and other key constituencies as she considers a potential 2028 presidential run. The Democratic National Committee is also expected to decide the order of the 2028 presidential nominating calendar in the coming months, with Iowa and Michigan both vying for an early Midwest slot.

The takeaway

Slotkin's willingness to directly engage with Trump voters in Iowa demonstrates a recognition within the Democratic Party that it needs to do more to appeal to voters in the middle of the country who have drifted away from the party in recent elections. Her efforts to 'rehab the Democratic brand' and introduce herself to a national audience could lay the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential run, though Slotkin has not yet announced any such plans.