-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The most compelling action during Michigan 's primary Tuesday will be on the Republican side . The Democratic Party has stripped the state of its delegates for moving up its primary date so early , and top-tier Democratic candidates have taken their names off the ballot , except for Sen. Hillary Clinton . The struggling auto industry has been a drag on Michigan 's economy . In many ways , the Republican battle for Michigan will be similar to last week 's New Hampshire contest . The primary is open , and any registered voter -- including independents and Democrats -- can participate . Sen. John McCain won New Hampshire with the help of independent voters , and he is campaigning hard to re-create that success in Michigan . In 2000 , McCain defeated then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in the Michigan primary . In that vote , more than half -- 52 percent -- were either independents or Democrats . Among Republican voters , McCain lost to Bush 29 percent to 66 percent . In that contest , almost three out of every 10 voters identified themselves as members of the religious right . Overall , Michigan is a swing state , producing narrow margins of victory for presidential candidates and statewide officeholders . However , voting trends favor the Democrats . Michigan 's governor , Jennifer Granholm , is a Democrat , as are the state 's two U.S. senators -- Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow . The Democratic presidential nominee has carried Michigan in the last four elections . Sen. John Kerry , the Democrats ' 2004 standard bearer , won Michigan 51 percent to 48 percent over President Bush . The state 's economy is powered by the automotive industry , which has experienced its fair share of struggles . Michigan 's unemployment rate , 7.4 percent , is higher than the national average of 5 percent . Region by region Wayne County , in the southeastern corner of the state , contains the economically depressed Detroit , Michigan 's largest city . Detroit is predominantly black and solidly Democratic . North of Wayne County are the more-affluent suburban counties of Oakland and Macomb , which have grown in population in the last two decades . These two counties have been the state 's central political battleground in recent elections . West of Wayne is the `` university belt , '' home to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Michigan State University in East Lansing . The area also includes the industrial cities of Saginaw and Flint , where unions remain strong , as well as Jackson and Bay City . The state 's capital , Lansing , and the sparsely populated upper peninsula are also part of this region . The southwest part of the state is dominated by Grand Rapids , Michigan 's second-largest city . Grand Rapids is traditionally Dutch-American and has many Christian conservatives and generally votes Republican . The area also contains smaller industrial cities and farming communities . The economy of the sparsely populated north and northwest is based on agriculture , tourism and timber . It traditionally votes Republican . Endorsements The Detroit Free Press has endorsed McCain . `` While the Free Press differs with McCain on a number of issues , the Arizona senator is a smarter , more tested and pragmatic leader who has shown since 2000 that he knows how to build bipartisan alliances around issues , '' the newspaper said in an editorial . The Detroit News also endorsed McCain , citing his fiscal conservatism and command of military and foreign affairs , over Michigan native Mitt Romney . `` Other GOP contenders , most notably former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney , are capable figures with impressive resumes and a solid grasp of the issues . But McCain 's longtime presidential ambitions are at last aligned with the needs of the nation , '' the newspaper said . E-mail to a friend