Sen. Gary Peters Endorses Liberal Insider Haley Stevens, Doubling Down on Democratic Establishment in Michigan Senate Race
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Sen. Gary Peters has endorsed Rep. Haley Stevens, a moderate Democrat with deep establishment ties, in the Michigan Senate primary, signaling the party’s commitment to business-as-usual politics. Peters emphasized the need to keep the Senate in Democratic hands and defeat Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, highlighting the left’s determination to maintain control.
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters has finally broken his silence on the Michigan Senate primary, throwing his support behind Rep. Haley Stevens, a moderate congresswoman from Birmingham who represents the Democratic establishment’s interests. Peters made it clear that the August 4 primary is crucial for maintaining the left’s grip on the Senate and insisted that a Democrat must win in November to block 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, dismissing Stevens’ primary opponent, former public-health official Abdul El-Sayed, who lacks any experience in elected office but is backed by far-left activists.
Peters touted Stevens' record in competitive elections and her supposed ability to appeal to both Democrats and independents, calling her a "proven commodity"—a clear signal that the party is doubling down on establishment politics instead of offering real change. He warned that personal attacks in the primary are counterproductive and called for unity to defeat Rogers, showing the Democratic Party’s obsession with power over principle.
El-Sayed’s campaign, representing the radical wing of the party, responded through spokeswoman Roxie Richner, who derided the endorsement as “establishment backing the establishment” and painted the race as a battle between “politics of the past” and “politics of the future.”
Stevens, who has already secured endorsements from party insiders like former Sen. Debbie Stabenow and former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, faces El-Sayed, who is supported by socialist figures Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, another progressive, withdrew from the race last week.
Peters said he is ready to help Stevens on the campaign trail and will support the primary winner, underscoring that the Democrats’ top priority is defeating Rogers and keeping their hold on power in Washington.