Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) has endorsed Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) in the competitive Senate primary in Michigan against former public health official Abdul el Sayed. The primary is to determine who will succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters (D-MI). Stevens is viewed as representing the centrist, establishment wing of the Democratic Party, while el Sayed has received support from several socialist lawmakers. Whitmer stated that she supports Stevens because they share a strategy focused on achieving results for Michigan residents.
In her endorsement, Whitmer emphasized that Stevens will work to address economic challenges faced by Michiganders, citing issues such as tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and rising gas prices. The primary race has garnered attention from various high-profile endorsements, reflecting a broader test of anti-establishment sentiment within the Democratic Party.
Notable figures supporting el Sayed include Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), as well as Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). In contrast, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Peters, and Whitmer have endorsed Stevens as the candidate best positioned to win in the general election.
Whitmer highlighted Stevens' Michigan roots, describing her upbringing in a middle-class family and her understanding of the challenges faced by local families. Whitmer previously competed against el Sayed in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, winning by a significant margin.
Polling indicates that Stevens and el Sayed are closely matched, with some polls showing el Sayed leading by larger margins due to support from political action committees. The winner of the primary on August 4 will face Mike Rogers, a former U.S. congressman endorsed by Donald Trump, in the general election. The Cook Political Report has classified the race as a toss-up.