The American EV Jobs Alliance, a nonpartisan nonprofit, estimated that $30 million was spent on EV-related ads this election cycle, primarily portraying EVs as job threats.
In Michigan, Elissa Slotkin's senatorial campaign was one of the few that challenged this negative EV narrative. Analysts from both political perspectives closely examined the election results, paying particular attention to "ticket splitting."
Even though Donald J. Trump secured Electoral College wins in Michigan and other swing states, Democratic Senate candidates outperformed their Republican rivals.
Slotkin, who defeated Republican Mike Rogers for the open Michigan seat, was part of the small fraction of 10% pro-EV ad spending. A modest portion of the estimated $3 million counter-effort was backed by the EV Jobs Alliance. The Alliance didn't fund Slotkin directly but separately advocated for pro-EV views.
Michigan's $30 million in ad spending accounted for a significant portion of the national $35.5 million on EV-related ads, presenting Democrats with overwhelming media opposition.
The Michigan Republican Party has yet to comment on the campaign. Anti-EV ads also received backing from groups such as the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers. According to an EV Jobs Alliance poll, 76% of Michigan voters noticed these negative campaigns.
The Alliance's poll revealed general skepticism about government EV initiatives, with 61% agreeing that such trends would harm Michigan. Most voters reliant on the auto industry shared this view.
Mike Murphy, a longtime GOP consultant, co-founded the EV Politics Project and the American EV Jobs Alliance. Sacks, the Alliance's executive director, stresses the importance of pro-EV policies for future job prospects. He anticipates significant policy impacts under a potential Trump administration due to current inadequate opposition.
While anti-EV spending dominated Michigan's election landscape, Elissa Slotkin's campaign and limited group efforts provided a counter-narrative, emphasizing the significance of EV jobs for the future. Despite a strong negative EV ad campaign, the results indicated potential for bipartisan support and strategic policy implications.
 | It's clear that the anti-EV ads had a significant impact on voters' perceptions. While Slotkin managed to counter some of that narrative, the challenge remains to change the overall sentiment about EVs in Michigan. |
 | I'm curious, what steps can be taken to better educate voters on the benefits of EVs? It seems like the misinformation was quite effective in this election. |
