Frankenmuth, MI

Frankenmuth, Michigan, sits in a political sweet spot that’s shifted noticeably over the past decade. The city itself leans slightly Republican, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index (PVI) of R+1, meaning it votes about one point more Republican than the national average. But that’s a far cry from the deep-red territory you’ll find just 15 miles west in places like Vassar or Caro, where Republican margins routinely hit double digits. The real story here is how Frankenmuth has drifted rightward since the 2010s, even as Michigan as a whole has become a true swing state with a Cook PVI of EVEN. Back in 2012, the city was a toss-up, but by 2020, Trump carried Saginaw County (which includes Frankenmuth) by about 4 points, while the state overall flipped back to Biden by 2.8 points. That gap—roughly 7 points between local and statewide voting—is the key to understanding the area’s political character today.

How it compares

Frankenmuth’s R+1 lean puts it squarely in the middle of Michigan’s political spectrum, but the comparison gets sharper when you look at nearby towns. Head south to Birch Run or Clio, and you’ll find communities that vote R+10 or more, driven by heavier manufacturing and rural roots. Go north to Saginaw city proper, and you’re in a D+15 stronghold, where union households and a larger Black population push the vote decisively blue. Frankenmuth sits between these poles, reflecting its mix of tourism-driven small business owners, retirees from the auto industry, and a growing number of remote workers who moved here during the pandemic. The city’s politics are less about culture-war flashpoints and more about local economic pragmatism—tax rates, road funding, and school budgets. That’s why you’ll see a Republican mayor (current is Tom Bierlein, elected in 2023) but also a city council that’s often split 4-3 on spending issues. It’s a place where a “Republican” voter might support a local millage for parks, while a “Democrat” might oppose a state-level gun law. The trajectory since 2016 has been a slow, steady rightward drift, but it’s still a far cry from the rural counties to the west.

What this means for residents

For conservative residents, Frankenmuth offers a comfortable environment where their views are the local norm, especially on fiscal issues like low property taxes (the city’s millage rate is about 15 mills, below the state average). You’ll find plenty of “Trump 2024” signs on lawns in the newer subdivisions off M-83, and the local Chamber of Commerce leans pro-business. For liberal residents, the picture is more nuanced. You won’t face hostility, but you’ll be in a clear minority—the Saginaw County Democratic Party has a small presence here, and progressive candidates rarely crack 45% in city elections. That said, the city’s tourism economy (drawing 3 million visitors annually to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland and Zehnder’s) means there’s a live-and-let-live attitude. You’ll see Pride flags on Main Street during June, but they’re outnumbered by American flags. The practical effect is that local policy stays moderate: the city council voted 5-2 in 2022 to keep a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, but also rejected a proposal to ban conversion therapy for minors. It’s a place where political battles are fought over sidewalk repairs and zoning for new breweries, not national wedge issues.

Culturally, Frankenmuth’s Bavarian heritage and heavy reliance on tourism create a unique political dynamic. The city’s identity is tied to being a family-friendly destination, which means local leaders avoid polarizing stances that could hurt business. You won’t see the kind of anti-mask protests that flared up in nearby Bay City during COVID, but you also won’t find the progressive activism of Ann Arbor. The biggest policy distinction from the rest of Michigan is the city’s strict sign ordinance—no billboards, no oversized political signs—which keeps the visual landscape clean but also limits the kind of yard-sign warfare you see in other suburbs. Looking ahead, the trend is toward a slow reddening as more retirees from downstate move in, but Frankenmuth’s economic reliance on a diverse visitor base will likely keep it from becoming as conservative as its rural neighbors. For now, it’s a place where you can have a beer at the Frankenmuth Brewery and debate property taxes without anyone getting heated—as long as you don’t bring up the 2020 election results.