NEW POLL: Majority of Voters in Rep. Slotkin’s District Want Congress to Make Bold Investments in Climate, Pass Full Build Back Better Act

Washington, D.C. — Sixty-three percent of voters in Michigan’s Eighth Congressional district want Congress to make bold investments to fight the climate crisis, according to new polling from Data For Progress and Climate Power. Michiganders are demanding their representatives in Congress pass the full Build Back Better agenda — which includes the bipartisan infrastructure bill and budget reconciliation —  after living through increasingly devastating extreme weather that has ravaged their communities and the economy. Meanwhile, Michiganders know that climate investments will cut energy costs, create jobs, and reduce pollution.

Michiganders are living on the front lines of the climate crisis — this summer, severe storms caused drainage systems to fail, power outages that left hundreds of thousands without power for days, and flooded communities — including metro Detroit. Southeast Michigan saw more than 80 severe weather warnings between June 1 and August 10 of this year — that is close to the yearly average of 90 severe weather warnings. Michigan has also experienced extreme heat causing schools in Flint to cancel in person learning for days citing “unbearable” conditions. Michiganders know that the climate crisis is putting their futures and communities at risk. Recent data from the Yale Program on Climate Communication shows 59% of voters in MI-08 are worried about the climate crisis and even more (70%) worry about how the climate crisis will hurt future generations.

Michiganders understand that we need to take bold action, which is why a majority of voters in the Eighth Congressional district support more funding and tax credits for clean energy production and implementing limits on climate emissions. Michigan is already a leader in clean energy production, ranking 6th in the nation in clean energy jobs. More than 113,000 Michiganders work in the clean energy industry and the additional investments in the Build Back Better plan would accelerate job growth in this booming sector, putting more Michiganders to work while reducing fossil fuel emission rates.

The politics around climate have changed in Michigan, but also across the nation. Voters are demanding Congress to meet this moment by passing the full Build Back Better agenda, with investments in clean energy jobs and cutting fossil fuel emissions. Americans from every corner of the country are living with the consequences of climate inaction as historic wildfires, hurricanes, drought, and extreme weather ravages their communities and hobbles the economy. 

Topline results from the MI-08 district polling can be found here. 

Here are some key takeaways from the poll:

• 67% of MI-08 registered voters believe it’s important for Congress to make additional investments along with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that address climate change and extreme weather, create clean energy jobs, and reduce pollution.
• 58% of MI-08 registered voters support the full $3.5 trillion Build Back Better plan that would invest in addressing climate change and supporting families.
• 46% of MI-08 registered voters said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who opposes the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better plan.
• A majority of voters in each of the eight districts believe it is important for Congress to make additional investments to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that address climate change and reduce pollution.
• A majority of voters in each of the eight districts believe the $3.5 trillion funding for the Build Back Better plan should be increased or kept the same.