Gretchen Whitmer endorses Haley Stevens for Michigan U.S. Senate primary
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed U.S. Representative Haley Stevens for the state’s Democratic Senate primary on Friday. Whitmer praised Stevens as an effective leader with a proven record of delivering results, specifically highlighting her experience as chief of staff on President Barack Obama’s auto rescue effort. The endorsement comes as Stevens faces off against progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed in a high-stakes race to succeed retiring Senator Gary Peters. While Stevens is backed by the Democratic establishment and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, El-Sayed has secured support from high-profile progressives Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Republicans have reacted to the move by suggesting the Democratic establishment is "panicked" by the primary contest. Spokesperson Roxie Richner noted that while Whitmer is closing ranks behind Stevens, the governor remains as centrist as her opponent. The primary winner will eventually face Republican former Representative Mike Rogers in the general election. Voting by mail is currently underway, with early in-person voting beginning Saturday.