Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens in the state's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, with early voting commencing on Saturday. Stevens, identified as a more centrist candidate, faces off against progressive Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who is considered the other front-runner in the race.
Whitmer’s endorsement could provide a significant advantage to Stevens in Michigan, a state where the governor has secured considerable victories in past elections. Whitmer previously defeated El-Sayed in the 2018 Democratic primary for governor.
Speaking at a Teamsters hall in Detroit on Friday alongside Stevens and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, Whitmer stated that Stevens possesses the necessary qualities to win in Washington. "Michiganders need a fighter in Washington and there are few leaders with more fight in ’em than Haley Stevens," Whitmer remarked.
Stevens, who successfully flipped a Republican House seat in 2018, also has the backing of Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Senator Gary Peters, the incumbent Democrat who is retiring from the seat.
Conversely, Dr. El-Sayed has garnered support from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A spokesperson for El-Sayed’s campaign, Roxie Richner, stated to the Associated Press that the "corporate establishment has closed ranks and made their pick – now, Michigan voters will get to make theirs."
The Michigan Democratic primary is scheduled for August 4. The winner of this primary will advance to face Republican former Representative Mike Rogers in the general election in November. Democrats aim to gain control of the U.S. Senate, and securing Michigan is considered crucial for that effort.