Whitmer Backs Stevens to Stop Far-Left El-Sayed Days Before Michigan Vote
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Representative Haley Stevens in the Democratic Senate primary over progressive Abdul El-Sayed, marking the most significant backing in the race to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters.
Whitmer made the endorsement official on Friday through video and written statements, according to Breitbart News, marking the most prominent political backing yet in the race to succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters. The governor highlighted Stevens’ four terms in Congress and her previous role leading former President Barack Obama’s automobile industry bailout program.
The governor emphasized shared priorities with Stevens, stating that her own eight-year tenure has centered on delivering tangible outcomes for Michigan residents. Whitmer noted that Stevens has been named the most effective Michigan Democrat in Congress, positioning her as a results-oriented legislator aligned with the governor’s approach.
Stevens welcomed the endorsement publicly on social media platform X, while El-Sayed’s campaign pushed back against what it characterized as establishment consolidation. Campaign spokeswoman Roxie Richner framed the development as corporate interests selecting their preferred candidate ahead of voters making their own choice.
The Michigan Republican Party dismissed the endorsement as cosmetic, with senior communications adviser Greg Manz arguing that both Democratic contenders would pursue identical policy agendas. Manz suggested the endorsement revealed Democratic panic rather than substantive differentiation between the candidates.
Recent polling from the Detroit News and WDIV shows Stevens maintaining a lead over El-Sayed, the former Wayne County health director, with particularly strong support among black voters. The matchup represents a rematch of sorts, as Whitmer defeated El-Sayed in the 2018 gubernatorial primary.
With Whitmer now term-limited, speculation has positioned her as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. Stevens has attracted nearly thirty million dollars in outside spending, predominantly from pro-Israel organizations supporting her candidacy.
El-Sayed has assembled backing from the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, including Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senator Tina Smith. The party establishment has moved to block his path, with Representative Jim Clyburn recently claiming a photograph from an El-Sayed rally in Detroit revealed everything he needed to know about the candidate’s support among black voters. Ocasio-Cortez has countered by describing the progressive as embodying future Democratic politics.
The Democratic primary victor will face former Republican Representative Mike Rogers in the November general election. Early in-person voting launches Saturday, with the primary scheduled for August 4.
With information from Breitbart News
