Sen. Gary Peters endorses Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan Democratic Senate primary
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U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced his endorsement of Rep. Haley Stevens for the Democratic nomination to succeed him, citing the importance of securing a Democratic win in the upcoming general election.
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters broke his weeks-long silence on the Michigan Senate primary by backing Rep. Haley Stevens, a moderate congresswoman from Birmingham. Peters said the outcome of the August 4 primary will heavily influence the Senate balance next year and stressed the need for a Democrat to win the November race against Republican Rep. Mike Rogers.
"She has demonstrated to me time and time again that she's a fighter. We need workhorses in the Senate, and we need someone who can do that job from day one," Peters told The Detroit News, contrasting Stevens with her primary opponent, former public-health official Abdul El-Sayed, who has not held elected office.
Peters highlighted Stevens' experience in competitive elections and her ability to appeal to both core Democrats and independents, describing her as a "proven commodity" who can build a broad coalition in a battleground state. He added that personal attacks within the primary are counterproductive and that the party must unite after the primary to defeat Rogers.
El-Sayed’s campaign responded, with spokeswoman Roxie Richner criticizing the endorsement as “establishment backing the establishment” and framing the race as a choice between “politics of the past” and “politics of the future.”
Stevens, who has already secured endorsements from former Sen. Debbie Stabenow and former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, faces El-Sayed, who is supported by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A third contender, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, withdrew from the race last week.
Peters said he is prepared to assist Stevens on the campaign trail and will support the primary winner, emphasizing the priority of defeating Rogers in the general election.