As Michigan gears up for a pivotal election, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has thrown her support behind U.S. Representative Haley Stevens in the competitive Democratic primary for the state’s U.S. Senate seat. This endorsement comes as early in-person voting commences and absentee ballots are distributed, marking the beginning of a crucial electoral phase.
Governor Whitmer’s backing of Stevens follows her recent criticism of the escalating intensity of the primary campaign. She expressed concern that such negativity might jeopardize the Democrats’ chances of securing this essential open seat, crucial for gaining a Senate majority in the upcoming elections.
Highlighting Stevens’ congressional achievements and her involvement in the Obama administration’s auto rescue task force, Whitmer emphasized Stevens’ dedication to Michigan’s interests. “She knows what Michigan families are going through and that’s how I know she will always put Michigan first,” Whitmer stated in a video posted to X by the Stevens campaign.
This endorsement aligns Whitmer with other key state Democrats who regard Stevens as a formidable contender against former Republican U.S. Representative Mike Rogers.
Meanwhile, Abdul El-Sayed, a former health official and progressive favorite, has never held an elected position. Having previously run against Whitmer in her initial gubernatorial primary, he has secured endorsements from notable figures such as U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont), U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the United Auto Workers union.
The Senate primary is shaping up as a battle between the Democratic Party’s center-left establishment and its rising progressive faction.
In response to Whitmer’s endorsement, El-Sayed campaign spokesperson Roxie Richner remarked, “The corporate establishment has closed ranks and made their pick. Now Michigan voters will get to make theirs.”
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