WASHINGTON _ Democratic Sen. Gary Peters wasn't surprised by Donald Trump's winning Michigan last week _ the first time in two decades the state has gone for a Republican presidential candidate.
Peters said Michigan is traditionally a battleground state, "and I think that's what we saw this time. It was a very close election. We're talking about 10-13,000 votes," WLNS 6 reported.
Experts believe voters in the rural areas wanting change led to the switch from blue to red.
"We have to make sure that economic opportunity is available for everybody, including our rural areas," Peters said. "That's why it's important for me to be here, in very rural parts of Michigan."
He also said that President-elect Donald Trump needs to unite the nation after the divisive election, which has seen protests against Trump break out in Michigan.
"He needs to lead that healing process. I am very open to it and believe working in a bipartisan way going forward," Peters said. "I think everybody has to give folks the benefit of the doubt."
He told the Daily News that he sees an opportunity to find some common ground with Republicans and the new president on a comprehensive infrastructure program for roads, bridges and water and sewer systems.
"You can't be a great country if you don't have strong infrastructure," he said. "Donald Trump is a developer, he's a builder. This would be in his wheelhouse. I think it would be natural for him to take this on."
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