Whitmer Endorses Stevens Over El-Sayed With 11 Days Left in Michigan Senate Primary

Michigan's Democratic Senate primary just got its biggest single endorsement. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer backed Rep. Haley Stevens on Friday, July 24, one day before early in-person voting opens ahead of the August 4 primary.

Whitmer made the case in a video shared by Stevens on social media, calling her "as Michigan as it gets." She pointed to Stevens' work as chief of staff on President Obama's auto industry rescue, her push on prescription drug costs, and her opposition to Social Security cuts, according to CBS News. Whitmer also used the moment to hit Republicans over tariffs, Medicaid cuts and gas prices.

"During my eight years as governor, we've faced tough challenges. But my north star has always been to get stuff done for Michigan," Whitmer said in a statement reported by ClickOnDetroit. "I know that's Haley Stevens' guiding light too."

Stevens, who represents Michigan's 11th congressional district, called Whitmer a "role model" and said the governor "embodies what it means to be 'that woman from Michigan.'" The two also touted shared work on the CHIPS and Science Act and gun violence prevention measures, per ClickOnDetroit.

Why This Endorsement Carries Weight

Whitmer isn't just any governor. She's term-limited, widely seen as Michigan's most popular Democrat, and has been floated by some in her party as a potential 2028 presidential contender, according to Breitbart. Her endorsement comes less than a month after outgoing Sen. Gary Peters, whose seat is up for grabs, also backed Stevens, CBS News reported.

Two of the most prominent Democrats in the state have lined up behind the same candidate, in a race where the party's national progressive wing has gone the opposite direction.

The El-Sayed Coalition

Abdul El-Sayed, the former Wayne County health director, has built his campaign on the backing of national progressives: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Tina Smith and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have all endorsed him, according to both CBS News and Breitbart. He's also secured the United Auto Workers union endorsement, per CBS News.

El-Sayed's campaign didn't mince words about what Whitmer's move means. Spokeswoman Roxie Richner said, "The corporate establishment has closed ranks and made their pick. Now, Michigan voters will get to make theirs."

Whitmer and Peters are the two most institutionally powerful Democrats in the state, and both picked Stevens over El-Sayed. Voters are entitled to see that as the party's leadership closing ranks, even if Stevens' campaign would describe it as simply backing the most effective legislator.

Rep. Jim Clyburn added fuel to that read this week, saying a photo from an El-Sayed rally in Detroit told him "all I need to know" about the candidate's standing with black voters, according to Breitbart. Ocasio-Cortez countered that El-Sayed represents "the politics of the future."

Where the Race Stands

A Detroit News and WDIV poll has Stevens ahead of El-Sayed, with an even wider margin among black voters, according to Breitbart. Stevens has also benefited from a wave of outside spending, including nearly $30 million from a pro-Israel group, per Breitbart's reporting.

The Michigan Republican Party isn't buying that this endorsement changes the fundamentals of the race. GOP communications adviser Greg Manz argued both Democrats would govern the same way regardless of who wins. "Establishment Democrats are beyond panicked, and Gretchen Whitmer's endorsement of Haley Stevens proves it," Manz said. "She is every bit as extreme as Abdul El-Sayed." Manz offered no specific policy comparison to back up the distinction.

This isn't the first time Whitmer and El-Sayed have squared off. She beat him in the 2018 Democratic primary for governor, according to Breitbart.

El-Sayed sat down with CBS News Detroit for an interview ahead of the primary and used part of it to criticize Stevens directly. Stevens, notably, declined CBS News Detroit's request for an interview.

Early in-person voting begins Saturday, July 25, and runs until the August 4 primary. Whoever wins takes on Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in November, his second consecutive Senate run after narrowly losing to Elissa Slotkin in 2024. The open question now is whether Whitmer's name carries enough weight with Michigan Democrats to overcome the wall of national progressive star power and UAW muscle El-Sayed has assembled in less than two weeks.