Trump hits diverse communities with field offices

Republicans in the battleground states of Michigan and Wisconsin are doubling down on their efforts to reelect President Donald Trump, opening field offices in diverse neighborhoods. Some polls show some African Americans – a traditional backbone of the Democratic party – are dissatisfied with the party. Republicans see this as an opportunity for the president.

"I don't particularly have a preference for either of these parties, because I don't think they do anything for our community," said Rev. Greg Lewis, founder of Souls to the Polls.

Paris Dennard is the Republican National Committee's Senior Advisor for Black Media Affairs. "(Trump) really believes that his policies, his agenda is one that is inclusive and that it has benefited, namely Black and Latino voters all across the country," Dennard said.

Nationwide, Republicans have opened about a dozen of these field offices, including in Milwaukee and Detroit _ two cities with large black populations. "Our turnout operations, specifically in black and brown communities like in the city of Milwaukee, will quite literally determine the course of our nation," said Wisconsin's Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. In 2016, black voter turnout dropped in Wisconsin. It was the first time the state voted for Republican president since 1984. This year, Republicans are highlighting Trump's actions on criminal justice, education and abortion in hopes of changing minds.

"Any small change you can make might pick something up. So, I understand the attempt," said Jeffrey L. Bernstein, a political science professort at Eastern Michigan University. "It's probably worth a shot. But I just don't see it likely to bear a whole lot of fruit."

In a high-stakes election, every vote in a contested state matters. 

(Image Credits: AP)